Dopaminergic Agents Flashcards
List the 5 dopamine pathways.
Nigrostriatal, Mesolimbic, Mesocortical, Tuberoinfundibular, Thalamic (?)
Nigrostriatal pathway?
Controls movement – Projects from SN to BG of striatum as part of the extrapyramidal nervous system.
Mesolimbic pathway?
Controls reward and perception – Projects from the midbrain ventral tegmental area to the nucleus acccumbens as part of the limbiv system.
Mesocortical pathway?
Controls executive function – Projects from the midbrain ventral tegmental area to the prefrontal cortex (DLPFC - cognition & VMPFC - affect)
Tuberoinfundibular pathway?
Controls pituitary prolactin function – Projects from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland and controls prolactin secretion.
Hyper/o/functioning mesolimbic?
Addiction/hallucinations vs. Amotivation/apathy
Hyper/o/functioning mesocortical?
Hypervigilance vs. Inattention
Hyper/o/functioning nigrostriatal?
Dyskinetic movement vs. Parkinsonism
Hyper/o/functioning tuberoinfundibular?
Hypoprolactinemia vs. Hyperprolactinemia
Levodopa mxn and for?
Precursor to DA, crosses BBB, converted to DA proper in the CNS, improve nigrostriatal functioning, promote better movement in Parkinson’s syndrome
Levodopa side effects?
At too high doses, creates dyskinetic movements and hallucinations, mania, psychosis. On average: hypotension, syncope, nausea, anxiety/agitation, fatigue.
Cardiodopa mxn?
Inhibits peripheral conversion of L-DOPA to DA (does not cross BBB) – Prevents peripheral DA effects and lowers side effects (fatigue, dizziness, nausea)
What happens after many years of use with levodopa?
After many years, wears off (as such, it is first line treatment unless the patient is very young).
If depression is a low dopaminergic state due to inadequate 1 C cycling, what could be given?
L-methylfolate or S-adenosyl methionine (Both allow 1 C cycle to run and increase DA production)
Side effects of L-methylfolate or S-adenosyl methionine (“1 C neutriceuticals”) ?
Essentially none, possible GI upset
Bupropion mxn?
NE-DA reuptake inhibitor: Blocks dopamine transporter (DAT)
Bupropion for?
Depression
Bupropion side effects?
Insominia, jitteriness/hypervigilance, seizures, sympathetic stimulation (insominia, anxiety, agitation, nausea, dry mouth, sweating, palpitations, increased BP), NOT addicitve
Amphetamines mxn?
Block DAT, reverse DAT, increase vesicular monoamine transport (VMAT2) ejection of DA
Amphetamines for?
ADHD
List the most aggressive amphetamines.
Dextroamphetamine, mixed amphetamine salts, lisdexamfetamine.
What is unique about lisdexamfetamine?
Prodrug
Are amphetamines addictive?
Yes
What about methylphenidate?
Just blocks the DAT
“Pseudostimulants?”
Modafinil/Armodafinil
What class are pseudostimulants?
Class IV addictive drugs (“less” addictive)
Modafinil/Armodafinil for?
Fatigue (due to narcolepsy, apnea, shiftwork) – NOT ADHD
Modafinil/Armodafinil side effects?
Less severe but similar to other stimulants. Increase p450-3A4 and lower BC effectiveness
Modafinil/Armodafinil mxn?
Increase Histamine in the tuberomammilary nucleus (TMN) and activate alertness in the frontal cortex. Increase orexin. Manipulate noradrenergic receptor post-synaptically.
Modafinil/Armodafinil effectiveness requires?
An operating DAT system
In general, stimulant side effects?
Because of involvement of mesolimbic pathway: Addiction. “Super high” doses: Psychosis. “Moderate” doses: Appetite and weight loss. Any dose: NE or DA side effects.
Selegiline mxn?
MAO-BI at low doses, MAOA+BI at high doses
Selegiline for?
Parkinson’s (B), Depression (A + B)
Rasagiline mxn?
MAOBI