DRUGS ACTING ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Flashcards
Parkinsonism is due to:
Dopamine deficiency
Excessive dopamine activity is implicated in:
Schizophrenia
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter, which is a chemical messenger in the brain that transmits signals between neurons (nerve cells). Dopamine plays an important role in several functions in the brain, including movement, motivation, reward, and pleasure.
Deficiency in noradrenergic transmission results in:
Depression
Abnormalities in cholinergic (acetylcholine) pathways leads to:
Dementia and parkinsonism
What is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)?
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a neurotransmitter that is widely distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS).
GABA stands for:
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
What is the function of GABA?
It is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA is involved in several functions in the brain, including the regulation of anxiety, stress, and sleep.
Name few GABA drugs?
Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates
What disease occurs when GABA inbalances?
Epilepsy
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Which are the inhibitory neurotransmitters?
GABA
Glycine
Name few Inhalation anesthetics?
Halothane
Nitrous oxide
Enflurane
Ether
Which inhalation anesthetics is most widely used?
Halothane
Halothane is:
highly lipid soluble, potent
can causes arrhythmia
What potency means in pharmacy?
Potency in pharmacy refers to the strength or concentration of a medication or drug.
Which inhalation anesthetics has analgesic effect?
Nitrous oxide
Which inhalation anesthetics is less toxic?
Enflurane (Poorly metabolized in the liver, thus less toxic than halothane)
Which inhalation anesthetics is highly explosive?
Ether
Which inhalation anesthetics have both analgesic and muscles relaxant properties?
Ether
What are the INTRAVENOUS ANESTHETICS?
Thiopentone
Propofol
Ketamine
Benzodiazepine
Etomidate
How long it takes to producing unconsciousness effect by IV anesthetics?
About 20 seconds
Name the short acting benzodiazepine?
Midazolam
What is the difference between Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates?
Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs that act as central nervous system depressants.
Barbiturates, on the other hand, are a class of sedative-hypnotic drugs that also act as central nervous system depressants.
How does benzodiazepines work?
They enhance the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which reduces the activity of certain neurons and produces a calming effect.
How does barbiturates work?
They bind to a specific site on the GABA receptor and enhance the effect of GABA, which slows down the activity of the brain and produces a sedative effect.
Which barbiturate is used as anesthetics to induce and maintain general anesthesia during surgery?
Thiopental
Which drugs can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms in people who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs?
Barbiturates
Which drugs sometimes is used for euthanasia or assisted suicide in terminally ill patients?
Barbiturates (thiopental - very high dose)
It’s important to note that the practice of euthanasia is illegal in many countries around the world including UK.