Drugs and the Nervous System

Question 1

Name 7 target sites for drugs in the nervous system?

Answer 1

1) The precursor of the transmitter e.g. levodopa
2) Interference with the storage of the neurotransmitter in vesicle within the presynaptic neuron (e.g. tetrabenazine)
3) Binding to the post-synaptic receptor site (bromocriptine)
4) Binding to the receptor-modulating site (benzodiazepines)
5) Interference with the breakdown of neurotransmitter within the synpatic cleft (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
6) reduce re-uptake of transmitter from synaptic cleft into pre-synaptic cells (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - fluoxetine, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors SNRIs - mirtazapine)
7) Binding to pre-synaptic autoreceptors.
3 Kinds - neurotransmitter release modulators, synthesis modulators, and impulse modulators. These offer sites for intervention.

Question 2

Name the proven types of neurotransmitters.

Answer 2

1) Amino acids - Glutamate and aspartate, act as excitatory transmitters on NMDA an non-NMDA receptors. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is mostly inhibitory.
2) Peptides - opiods and substance P
3) Histamine and purines (such as ATP)
4) Dopamine (DA) - drugs can enhance and decrease the effects of dopamine.
5) Serotonin (5HT) - many types of 5HT receptor, and drugs include agonists, antagonists and reuptake inhibitors.
6) Adrenaline and noradrenaline - 4 receptor types Alpha 1 + 2, Beta 1 + 2.
7) Acetylcholine (muscarinic and nicotinic receptors) - centrally acting anticholinergics, peripherally acting antimuscarinics, peripherally acting cholinergic agonists.