Drugs Affecting the Nervous System

Question 1

Function of the nervous system

Answer 1

receive stimuli and transmit information to nerve centers to initiate an appropriate response.

Question 2

Three types of neurons

Answer 2

Sensory, Associative, and Motor

Question 3

Dendrites

Answer 3

rootlike structures that receive impulses and conduct them toward the cell body

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

Single process that extends away from the cell body and conducts impulses away from cell body toward the synapse.

Question 5

Synapse

Answer 5

space between a neuron and its receptor

Question 6

two divisions of the nervous system

Answer 6

Central and Peripheral

Question 7

function of the central nervous system

Answer 7

interpret information sent by impulses from the peripheral nervous system and return instructions through the PNS for appropriate actions.

Question 8

the PNS consists of

Answer 8

cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system

Question 9

What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?

Answer 9

Increasing heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood flow to muscles. It also decreases GI function and causes pupillary dilation.

Question 10

What region in the spine is the sympathetic nervous system found?

Answer 10

thoracic and lumbar region between T1 and L3

Question 11

Sympathetic receptors include

Answer 11

alpha 1 - increases BP
alpha 2 - inhibits norepinephrine release in brain, resulting in sedation and analgesia
beta 1 - increases heart rate
beta 2- bronchodilation and dilation of skeletal blood vessels
dopaminergic - causes dilation of the vessels

Question 12

alpha 1 and alpha 2 are responsible for

Answer 12

alpha 1 - increases BP

alpha 2 - inhibits norepinephrine release in brain, resulting in sedation and analgesia

Question 13

beta 1 and beta 2 are responsible for

Answer 13

beta 1 - increases heart rate

beta 2- bronchodilation and dilation of skeletal blood vessels

Question 14

Parasympathetic Nervous system is also known as

Answer 14

homeostatic system or cholinergic system

Question 15

Parasympathetic Nervous System is responsible for

Answer 15

Returning heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood flow to normal levels. Also returns GI and pupils back to normal.

Question 16

The parasympathetic Nervous System is found

Answer 16

in the brain stem region and sacral segments

Question 17

Anticonvulsants

Answer 17

Drugs that help prevent seizures

Question 18

All anticonvulsants are classified as ____ and may cause ____

Answer 18

CNS depressants

ataxia, drowsiness, and hepatotoxicity

Question 19

Barbiturates are classified into what three groups

Answer 19

ultra-short-acting
short-acting
long-acting

Question 20

Phenobarbital classification ___ and works by ____

Answer 20

long acting

impairs chemical transmission of impulses across synapses in the brain stem

Question 21

Barbiturates work by

Answer 21

impairing chemical transmission of impulses across synapses in the brain stem.

Question 22

Increase in ____ is commonly seen in Phenobarbital

Answer 22

liver enzymes (especially alk phos and ALT)

Question 23

Side effects of Phenobarbital

Answer 23

ataxia
drowsiness 
liver damage
respiratory depression
PU/PD
polyphagia

Question 24

Pentobarbital classification ___

Answer 24

short acting

Question 25

Side effects of Pentobarbital

Answer 25

irritating when given SQ respiratory depression hypothermia

Question 26

Primidone is structurally similar to ___

Answer 26

Phenobarbital

Question 27

Benzodiazepines are drugs that potentiate the effects of

Answer 27

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Question 28

What is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Answer 28

an inhibitory neurotransmitter that stabilizes nerve cell membranes.

Question 29

Benzodiazepines cause ___ and ___

Answer 29

muscle relaxation and relieve anxiety

Question 30

Diazepam (Valium) is a ___ that is a schedule ___ controlled substance

Answer 30

benzodiazepine | C-IV

Question 31

Diazepam works by ____

Answer 31

increasing GABA

Question 32

Side effects of Diazepam

Answer 32

``` CNS excitement (paradoxical) and weakness ```

Question 33

Lorazepam (Ativan) is a ____ and schedule ___ controlled substance

Answer 33

benzodiazepine | C-IV

Question 34

Side effects of Lorazepam

Answer 34

Increased appetite Ataxia Vocalization

Question 35

Clorazepate is a schedule ___ controlled substance

Answer 35

C-IV

Question 36

Clorazepate can also be used for

Answer 36

behavioral phobias

Question 37

Clorazepate side effects

Answer 37

sedation and ataxia

Question 38

Potassium Bromide is used when

Answer 38

seizures cannot be controlled by primidone or phenobarbital alone.

Question 39

Potassium Bromide's antiseizure activity is due to

Answer 39

depressant effects on neuron excitability because bromide ions compete with chloride ion transport across cell membranes resulting in membrane hyperpolarization. which raises seizure threshold

Question 40

KBr should be handled with gloves because

Answer 40

it is toxic to people

Question 41

Side effects of KBr

Answer 41

electrolyte imbalance and vomiting

Question 42

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Answer 42

Human medication - not used very often in vet med due to undesirable side effects (rapid decrease in BP)

Question 43

Add-ons

Answer 43

When a single anticonvulsant medication is no longer effective, safe, or well controlled, these are used

Question 44

Levetiracetam (Keppra)

Answer 44

Oral add on anticonvulsant

Question 45

How dows Keppra work?

Answer 45

By binding to a synaptic vesicle protein that affects neurotransmission, preventing propagations of seizure activity.

Question 46

Why is Keppra a valuable medication for animals with

Answer 46

hepatic toxicity - because it is not metabolized by liver

Question 47

How can Keppra be given?

Answer 47

Orally (long term control) or IV (for status epilipticus)

Question 48

Zonisamide (Zonegran)

Answer 48

Oral add on anticonvulsant

Question 49

How does Zonisamide work?

Answer 49

By blocking calcium and sodium channels in the brain and facilitating dopamine and serotonin neurotransmission.

Question 50

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

Answer 50

Oral add on anticonvulsant

Question 51

How does Gabapentin work?

Answer 51

By inhibiting calcium channels resulting in decreased excitatory neurotransmission.

Question 52

Gabapentin should be used with caution in patients with ___.

Answer 52

Renal insufficiency. (primarily excreted by the kidneys)

Question 53

Felbamate (Felbatol)

Answer 53

Oral add on anticonvulsant

Question 54

How does Felbamate work?

Answer 54

By potentiating GABA-mediated neuronal inhibition and inhibiting neuronal calcium channels.