CNS pharmacology Flashcards
An increase of chloride conductance is the most important result of activation of
GABAA receptors
- GABA is the most important inhibitory transmitter in the brain
- glcyine is also improtant in the spinal cord
- GABA(a) receptors causes hyperpolarization mediated by increased chloride conductance
Neurotransmitters may ________
- Increase chloride conductance to cause hyperpoarization
- Increase potassium conductance to cause inhibition
- Increase sodium conductance to cause excitation
- Inhibit calcium conductanct to reduce transmitter release
All of the listed NT change membrane excitability by decreasing K conductance except _______
Dopamine
- A decrease in K conductance is associated with neuronal excitation
Shares the same potassium channel as the 5-HT1A receptor
GABA(B) receptor
- they share the same K channel with a G protein involved in the coupling mechanism
CHemicals most likely to function as a neurotransmitter in hierarchical systems
Glutamate
- Aspartate
- small numerous inhibitory interneurons which use GABA or glycine as transmitters
- Drugs that affect hierarchical systsems often have profound effects on the overall excitability of the CNS
Actiavtion of metabotropic receptors located presynaptically causes inhibition by decreasing the inward flux of
Calcium
- This type of presynaptic inhibition occurs after activation of dopamine D2, norepinephrine a2, metabotropic glutamate, and mu opiod peptide receptors
This transmitter is mostly located in diffuse neuronal systems in the CNS, with cell boides particlary in the raphe nuclei. It appears to play amjor role in the expression of mood states, and many antidepressant drugs are thought to icnreases its functional activity
Serotonin
Criteria for neurotransmitters
- Present in higher concentration in the synaptic area than in other areas
- Released by electrical or chemical stimulation via calcium dependent mechanism
- produce the same sort of postsynaptic response
One of the first NT receptors to be identified in the CNS is loacted on the renshaw cell in the spinal cord. Activation of this receptor results in excitation via an increase in cation (Na, K) conductance independently of G protein-coupled mechanisms. Which compounds likely to activate this receptor
Nicotine
- This results in the release of glycine, which via interaction with its receptors on the motor neuron causes membrane hyperpolarization
This neurotransmitter, found in diffuse systems, can exert both excitatory and inhibitory actions. Multiple receptor subtypes and a transporterd have been identified, some of which are targets for drugs that are used in major depressive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Norepinephrine
- cell bodies of noradrenergic neurons located in the pons and brain stem project to all levels of the CNS
- Most of the subclasses of adrenoceptors that occur in peripheral tissues are present in the CNS
This drug is used in the management of insomnia and facilitates the inhibitory actions of GABA, but it lacks anticonvulsant or muscle relaxing properties and has minimal effect on REM sleep. Its action are antagonized by flumazenil
Eszopiclone
- Eszopiclone, zalepton, and zolpidem are related hypnotics that throught structurally different from benzodiazepines, appear to have a similar mechanism of action.
- Not used in seizures or in muscle spasticity states
true of Barbiturates
- Alkalinization of the urine accelerates the elimination of phenobarbital
- withdrawl symptoms from use of short acting babiburates (secobarbital) are more severe than phenobarbital
- The dose response curve for BZ is flatter than for barbiturates
- Induction of liver- drug metabolizing enzymes occurs with barbiturates and may lead to decreases in half life of other drugs
- Flumazenil is an antagonist at BZ receptors and are used to reverse CNS depresssant effect
A 24 year old has developed nervous disposition. He is easily startled, worries about inconsequential matters and sometimes complains of stomach cramps. At night, he grinds his teet in his sleep. Diagnosed as suffering from GAS, he is prescribed with buspirone. The patient should be informed to anticipate
That the drug is likely to take a week or more to begin working
- Buspirone is a selective anxiolytic
- minimal effects on cognition or memory
- not additive with ethanol in terms of CNS depression
- Tolerance is minimal
- no dependency liability
- not effective in acute anxiety. slow onset of action
MEchanism of action of benzodiazepines
Increase frquency of opening of chloride ion channels coupled to GABA(a) receptors
An 82 year old woman, otherwise healthy for her age has difficulty sleeping. Triazolam is prescribed for her at one half of the conventional adult dose.
The patient may experience amnesia, especially if she also consumes alcohol
- In elderly patients taking benzodiazepines
- hypotension
- prone to CNS depressant
- Additive effects on CNS depression
- antihistamines
- rebound insomnia
- alcohol enhances psychomotor depression and the amnestic effects of the BZ
Flumazenil will counteract the effect of _______
Benzodiazepines
- Binds to the chloride channel macromolecular complex and competes with the benzodiazepines, eszoporclone, zalepton, and zolpidem
- It does not reverse the effects of barbiturates and buspirone
A 40 year old woman with occasional acute attacks of intense anxiety with marked physical symptoms, including hyperventilation, tachycardia, adn sweating. If she is diagnosed as suffering from a panic disorder, the most appropriate drug to use is
Alprazolam
- Alprazolam and clonazepam are the most effective of the benzodiazepines for the treatment of panic disorders
Eszopiclone and flumazenil are__________
hypnotics
Which drug used in the maintenace treatment of patients with tonic clonic or partial seizure states increases the heaptic metabolism of manu drugs including both phenytoin and warfarin?
Phenobarbital
- Clonazepam and phenobabital are both used in seizure disorders
- Chronic administration of phenobarbital increases the activity of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes including several cytochrome P450 isozymes
A patient with live dysfunction is scheduled fora surgical procedure. Lorazepam or oxazepam can be used for preanesthetic sedation in this patient without special concern regarding excessive CNS depression because these drugs are _______
Conjugated extraheaptically
- The elimination of most NZ involves their metabolism by liver enzymes, including cytochrome P450 isoenzymes
- In a aptient with liver dysfunction, lorazepam and oxazepam are metabolized extraheaptically
benzodiazepines are barbiturates are contraindicated in ___________
breathing related sleep disorders
They compromise ventialtion
Benzodiazepines
ALprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, clonazepam, diazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam, midazolam
- Binds GABA(a) recptor subunits to facilitate chloride channel opening and increase frequency. membrane hyperpolarization
- Used in acute anxiety states, panic attacksm GAD, insomnia, muscle relaxation, seizure disorders
Benzodiazepine antagonist
Flumazenil
Barbiturate
Amobarbital, bitabarbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital, thiopental
- Binds to GABA(a) receptor (distinct form BZ). facilitate chloride channel opening and increase duration
- Used in anesthesia (thiopental), insomnia, sedation, seizure disorders