Diseases of the nervous system Flashcards
What are the two ways to class drugs affecting the CNS?
Neurological or psychotrophic
What is the difference between anxiolytics and analgesics?
Anxiolytics reduce anxiety
Analgesics control pain
What is the aetiology for depression?
Neuronal imbalance
Genetic and environmental factors
What are some of the general treatments for depression?
Self-help programmes
Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy
Drugs to increase neurotransmission of noradrenaline and 5-HT
What are the three ways to increase neurotransmission? Give examples for all
Inhibit reuptake (Tricyclic antidepressent, SSRI) Inhibit metabolism (MAOIs) Enhance release (a2-adrenoceptor antagonist e.g. Zispin)
Give an example of an SSRI
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Why do we need alternative drugs to treat a disease?
One drug won’t necessarily work on every patient. There may be different aetiologies and diffferent distributions of molecular targets
Explain the two theories about why depression treatment takes so long
Neuronal adaptation - downregulation of autoreceptors and tansporters over time removes the inhibitory feedback and repackaging of neurotransmitter
Neurogenesis - chronic antidepressant treatment enhances neurotrophins which encourage cell growth which would make up for the possible cell atrophy caused by depression
Define psychosis
A mental disorder causing a marked distortion of reality
List some of the negative and positive symptoms of psychosis
Negative - Loss of normal function
Positive - Hallucinations, disorganised speech, bizarre behaviour
Neuropathological changes in the brain of schizophrenic patients have great effect on the limbic system. What does this system control?
Emotion/Mood
Give an example of an antipsychotic
Chlorpromazine Haloperidol (branded as Haldol)
How do antipsychotics work?
Antagonists of dopamine receptors, particularly D2
What does chronic mean?
Long lasting
Why is epilepsy called a syndrome?
It’s made of multiple diseases with different causes
