CNS pharmacology active learning Flashcards
What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
Glutamate
What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the PNS?
Acetylcholine
What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
GABA
Which of the following is/are TRUE about GABAa receptors?
A) They share structural homology with nicotinic receptors
B) They are made up of two proteins, alpha and beta
C) They regulate the activity of chloride channels via G proteins
D) They are activated by diazepam
A - They share structural homology with nicotinic receptors
How many proteins are GABAa receptors made up of?
5
Which of the concentration response curves shown below shows the effects of a positive allosteric modulator like diazepam on GABAa activated responses?
-Max response remained
-Curve shifted left as less drug needed for max response
Is a negative allosteric regulator the same as an allosteric antagonist?
Negative allosteric regulator decreases affinity of orthosteric site
Allosteric antagonist binds to allosteric site, prevents/competes with action of allosteric modulator, not affecting orthosteric site but prevents effect of allosteric modulator
Which of the following compounds are used to treat anxiety? Can you name examples of each correct answer?
A) SSRIs
B) Benzodiazepine receptor agonists
C) 5HT1A receptor agonists
D) Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists
A) SSRIs (prozac)
B) Benzodiazepine receptor agonists (Diazepam)
C) 5HT1A receptor agonists (Buspirone)
D) Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (Beta-blcokers)
Benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety have which of the following advantages?
A) They do not impair psychomotor skills
B) The effects of overdose can be overcome with a competitive antagonist
C) They are rapidly metabolised so they don’t accumulate
D) Dependence does not occur
B) The effects of overdose can be overcome with a competitive antagonist
Which of the following are clinical uses of benzodiazepines?
A) Treatment of depression
B) As anticonvulsants
C) For preoperative sedation
D) Treatment of anxiety disorders
B) As anticonvulsants
C) For preoperative sedation
D) Treatment of anxiety disorders
A 42-year-old woman is found unconscious and unresponsive by her 10-year-old daughter, who calls emergency medical services. The paramedics find that the woman appears cyanotic, has a heart rate of 52 bpm, a blood pressure of 92/52 mm Hg, and a ventilatory rate of 6 breaths per minute. They provide supplemental oxygen with a bag-mask system and insert a peripheral intravenous line. The woman’s coloration improves with the supplemental oxygenation. The paramedics ask the daughter if her mother takes any pills, and she answers that there are some in the bathroom. They find a recently filled prescription bottle of alprazolam that is empty. Which of the following is the most appropriate medication in the resuscitation of this patient?
C) Flumazenil
(Can’t be opioids as she us still. breathing, flumazenil is antagonist for benzodiazepine receptors, adrenaline is for low blood pressure)
A 14-year-old boy is admitted to hospital following an episode at school during which he was observed to undergo an epileptic seizure. During the seizure, which lasted around 7 minutes, the boy lost consciousness and was observed to undergo violent synchronous jerking. Whilst at the hospital, the boy suffered another episode. An electroencephalogram (EEG) recording taken during the seizure revealed generalised continuous high frequency activity followed by a period of intermittent discharge. What is the most likely classification of this type of epilepsy?
A)Generalized seizure/grand mal-tonic clonic type
B)Generalized seizure/petit mal - absence seizure
C)Partial seizure
A)Generalised seizure/grand mal-tonic clonic type
(loss of consciousness so seizure taken part of both parts of brain, violent jerking is symptom of Mal-tonic epilepsy, EEG matches as electrodes show abnormal activity on all parts of brain and random activity followed by pauses)
Effective treatment for the disease is severely limited by the lack of understanding of the aetiology and pathological changes that occur. To enhance our understanding of the disease, many animal models have been established enabling monitoring and detection of neurological changes, as well as enabling the development and screening of novel therapeutic compounds
Describe two different mechanisms for inducing spontaneous seizures in an animal model? (2)
1) Penicillin directly into the brain
2) Kindling (frequent low-level electrical stimulation which makes brain hyper-excitable)
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, often affecting the young. It has a strong genetic component and there is evidence for underlying biological dysregulation. Which of the following statements about the potential pathogenesis of schizophrenia is correct?
A) The positive symptoms are potentially caused by over-activation of the mesolimbic pathway involving D1 receptors.
B) The negative symptoms are potentially caused by over-activation of the mesolimbic pathway involving D2 receptors.
C) The positive symptoms are potentially caused by over-activation of the mesocortical pathway involving D2 receptors.
D) The positive symptoms are potentially caused by decreased activation of the mesocortical pathway involving D1 receptors.
E) The negative symptoms are potentially caused by decreased activation of the mesocortical pathway involving D1 receptors.
E) The negative symptoms are potentially caused by decreased activation of the mesocortical pathway involving D1 receptors.
A range of first (conventional) and second (atypical) generation agents has been developed for the treatment of psychotic illness with a wide range of pharmacological profiles. Which pharmacological approach would NOT be beneficial?
A) D2 receptor antagonists
B) Muscarinic receptor agonists
C) 5-HT2A receptor antagonists
D) D2 receptor partial agonists
B) Muscarinic receptor agonists
