Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

BMS 242 - Phys and pharm of cells > CNS pharmacology III > Flashcards

CNS pharmacology III Flashcards

1
Q

How were anti-psychotic drugs discovered?

What did this give rise to?

A

Found to be effective by chance

Gave rise to the understanding of the disease through research into WHY the drug was effective

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What neurotransmitter system is effected in Schizophrenia?

A

The dopaminergic pathway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What causes the symptoms associated with positive Schizophrenia?

A

INCREASE levels of dopamine signalling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What can the symptoms of Schizophrenia be broken down into?

A

2 groups:

1) NEGATIVE
2) POSITIVE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the negative symptoms of Schizophrenia?

A

NEGATIVE state of mind:

  • Blunting of emotions
  • Withdrawal from social contacts
  • Flattening of emotional responses
  • Reluctance
  • Anhedonia (no pleasure from pleasurable activity)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the positive symptoms of Schizophrenia?

A
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions (paranoia)
  • Thought disorders
  • Agression
  • Bizarre behaviour
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What CAN symptoms of Schizophrenia be accompanies by?

A

May/may not be accompanied by:

  • Cognitive defects
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Self-punishment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Are there differences between the brains of normal and Schizophrenia brain?

A

Yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the causes of Schizophrenia?

A
  • Hereditary elements
  • Disruption in the normal neuronal development
  • Genes turned off that are associated with the formation of synapses and synaptic activity
  • Heavy cannabis use
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Who normally has symptoms of negative Schizophrenia?

A

Elderly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Who normally has symptoms of positive Schizophrenia?

A

The young

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Once somebody has Schizophrenia, what can and can’t be treated?

A

Can treat the SYMPTOMS

But not the CAUSE - when have Schizophrenia, cannot be reversed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How can the effect of anti-psychotic drugs be tested?

A
  • If ENHACE dopaminergic signalling –> give rise to positive Schizophrenia-like symptoms
  • These positive symptoms are repetitive, non-productive motor behaviours
  • These behaviours can be monitored in rodents before and after anti-psychotic drugs are given
  • Can cause a rodent to exhibit these behaviours by giving repeated doses of amphetamines
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What type of drugs are effects as anti-psychotics?

A

Antagonists of dopaminergic signalling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the flavours of dopamine receptors?

A

D1 and D2

D3,D4,D5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the D1 receptors?

What do they do when activated?

A

Gs coupled receptors

When activated:

  • Increase the activity of adenylate cyclase
  • Increasing effect on neurotransmission
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the D2 receptors?

What do they do when activated?

A

Gi coupled receptors

When activated:

  • Decrease the activity of adenylate cyclase
  • Decreasing effect on neurotransmission
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What neurons are D2 receptors also found on?

What do they do here?

A

Found on INHIBITORY interneurons

Here, they:
- Inhibit inhibition –> increase in transmission

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Is the D4 receptor excitatory or inhibitory?

A

INHIBITORY

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What other signalling does dopamingeric signalling impact on?

What does this mean?

A

Other amine neurotransmitter systems:

  • Glutamate signalling
  • GABA signalling

Means that other neurotransmitter systems also come into the underlying chemical imbalances involved in Schizophrenia

21
Q

What is the dopamine neurotransmitter system involved in?

A

Controlling numerous body functions:

  • Movement
  • Attention
  • Learning
  • Reward and reinforcement
22
Q

What are the dopaminergic pathways in the CNS?

A

1) Nigrostiatal pathway
2) Mesocortical and mesolimbic
3) Tuberohypophyseal
4) Medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone

23
Q

What is the nigrostiatal dopaminergic pathway involved in?

A

Fine motor control

24
Q

What is the mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways involved in?

A
  • Behavioural effects
  • Motivation
  • Compulsion
25
Q

What is the tuberohypophyseal dopaminergic pathway involved in?

A

Pituitary hormone secretion (eg. prolactin)

26
Q

What prolactin important in?

A

Lactation

27
Q

What does prolactin secretion involve?

A

The D1 receptor

28
Q

Why is avoidance of the D1 receptor important in treatment of Schizophrenia?

A

Can avoid having unwanted side effects of inducing Prolactin secretion and other unwanted hormone effects

29
Q

What is the medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone involved in?

What receptors are present in this zone

A

Nausea and vomiting

D1 dopaminergic receptors are present in this zone

30
Q

Which pathways are impacted when administer a drug that implicates DA signalling?

A

Impact ALL of the pathways (non-selective)

31
Q

What are the pathways that are impacted the most in Schizophrenia?

A

Mesocorticolimbic

Nigrostriatal

32
Q

Describe the synthesis of dopamine

A

Tyrosine converted to DOPA by dopa-decarboxylase

DOPA is the precursor to dopmaine

33
Q

What is DOPA the precursor for?

A

MANY amine neurotransmitters

34
Q

What is the structure of dopamine similar to?

A

The structure of MANY other amine neurotransmitters

35
Q

Why is it difficult to find a drug that is specific to dopamine receptors?

A

Receptors for all the amine neurotransmitters are very similar in their ligand binding domain

36
Q

What is present in all the neurons that make dopamine?

A

Dopa-decarboxylase

37
Q

Where is dopamine released from?

Where does it act?

A

Released from the presynaptic terminal

Acts on postsynaptic receptors

Also acts on D2 receptors that are present on the presynaptic membrane - feedback, inhibit own transmission

38
Q

What terminates the action of dopamine?

A
  • Transporters take the dopamine BACK into the pre synapse

- Here, dopamine is enzymatically broken down by MAO and COMT enzymes

39
Q

What is the treatment for Parkinson’s? Why?

What is the major side effect?

A

Give L-DOPA (precursor to dopamine)
As Parkinson’s is caused by the loss of the function of the Nigrostrital pathway

Major side effect:
- Cause hallucinations (increased dopamine signalling –> increased Schizophrenia)

40
Q

What is the effect of drugs of abuse (amphetamines/cocaine) on dopamine signalling?

A

They INCREASE dopamine signalling

41
Q

How do drugs of abuse increase dopamine signalling?

A

1) Taken BACK up into the nerve terminal through transporters
2) In the nerve terminal, inhibits MAO/COMT –> accumulation of dopamine in the nerve terminals
3) This accumulation causes the pumps to work on a REVERSE (as move with the concentration gradient)
4) Dopamine is pumped OUT into the extracellular space

42
Q

What are the symptoms when activate the dopaminergic pathways with the drugs of abuse?

A

1) Activation of the REWARD pathways
2) Euphoric state (feeling of well being)
3) Simulation of locomotor action (hyperactivity)
4) Insomnia (too alert, due to extra brain function)
5) Increased stamina
6) Suppression of appetite –> anorexia
7) Effects in the periphery
8) Neurotoxicity with PROLONGED use

43
Q

When taking drugs of abuse, why is there then promotion drug seeking behaviour?

A

There are positive symptoms of drugs of abuse:
- Activation of the reward pathways

  • Euphoric state
44
Q

Why do drugs of abuse have effects in the periphery?

A
  • Catecholamines are the main neuroT in the sympathetic nervous system

Increase sympathetic drive:

  • -> Increase blood pressure and heart rate
  • -> Lower gut motility
45
Q

What do the drugs that treat Schizophrenia target?

A

Dopamine receptors (ESP. D2)

46
Q

What are the side affects associated with anti-phycotics?

Why?

A

Motor disturbances

47
Q

What are the drugs used to treat Schizopherina that have less side effects?

Why do they have less side effects?

A

ATYPICAL anti-psychotics

Less effects as they have reduced extrapyramidal effects due to selectivity to D2 over D1

48
Q

What are extrapyramidal effects?

A

Motor disturbances through activation of the Nigrostriatal pathway

49
Q

What are examples of atypical antipsychotics?

A
  • Sulpiride

- Clozapine

BMS 242 - Phys and pharm of cells (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions