Drug Therapies Content Flashcards
What are the two drug therapies for stress and anxiety?
Benzodiazepines (Valium, xanax) and Beta Blockers (BB’s)
Describe how GABA works in stress relief?
. GABA is released from presynaptic neurones and binds to GABA receptors on the outside of the postsynaptic neurone on the 40% of neurones in the brain that respond to GABA
. The neural channel/pathway connected to the GABA receptor that has just had GABA bound to it is then opened up, increasing the amount of chloride ions entering the postsynaptic neurone.
. The flow of these chloride ions make it harder for the postsynaptic neurone to be simulated by other neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, slowing down the activity of the central nervous system and making the individual feel more relaxed
What is GABA?
A neurotransmitter that acts as the body’s natural stress relief, it has a quietening effect
How do BZs boost the natural rate of stress relief?
They enhance the action of GABA by binding to special sites on GABA receptors so both GABA and the BZ are working to open a larger channel for more chloride ions to flow in than normal, making the postsynaptic neurone even more resistant to excitatory neurotransmitters such as dopamine
What happens to GABA once it has blinded to the GABA receptors and chloride ions have entered?
Some of the GABA is reuptaken into the presynaptic neurone to be used again
Why are BZ’s called GABA agonists?
They work WITH GABA
Which key neurotransmitter do BZ’s also act on?
BZ’s also reduce the activity of serotonin as it has an arousing effect on the brain so may need to be suppressed as well to reduce anxiety and stress
How are BZ’s and BB’s different in how they act?
BZ’s act directly on the CNS = addiction
BB’s indirectly manage the effects on the sympathetic nervous system to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety = non-addictive
How are Beta Blocker’s related to the SAM system?
As the sympathomedullary response to immediate stressors is the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline as a fight or flight response, and BB’s bind and block receptors of the major organs and sites which are typically active during F/F.
