Drugs effects and types

Question 1

Drugs are … chemical substances that have the capacity to alter the actions of neurons, usually by influencing ….

Answer 1

exogenic, neurotransmission

Question 2

Agonists are drugs that enhance a NTs activity, they work by: (3)

Answer 2

1) Increasing the amount of NT available (increasing availability of enzymes that are needed for synthesis, precursor)
2) Limiting reuptake or enzyme clean up
3) Work directly on the receptor ligand by mimicking the NT and opening ion channel

Question 3

antagonists are drugs that impair a NTs activity, they work by: (3)

Answer 3

1) Decreasing the amount of NT available by decreasing the amount of precursor or blocking release at terminals
2) Increasing reuptake or enzyme clean up
3) Work directly on the receptor ligand by occupying the space for NTs to connect, preventing activation,

Question 4

Inverse agonists are drugs that inhibits receptor ligands and fully close ion channels… (2)

Answer 4

1) May partially close ion channels (partial inverse agonists)
2) Distinct from antagonists as it has effect in itself..

Question 5

Drug lifecycle (4)

Answer 5

1) enters body and absorbed into bloodstream
2) Passes out of capillaries into extracellular fluid
3) Acts on target cells
4) Eliminated from body: catabolism (broken down) or excreted (air, feces or urine, sweat etc.)

Question 6

Simulants (define, 3 examples)

Answer 6

Simulants
Increase excitatory activity in NS - increases arousal
1) Cocaine - agonist, inhibits reuptake of dopamine, also to a lesser extent norepinephrine, highly addictive,
2) Amphetamine - agonist, increases chemical release of dopamine and norepinephrine, somewhat addictive
3) Nicotine - acts directly on acetylcholine receptors, highly addictive, similar process and behavior to other stimulants but more subtle

Question 7

Hallucinogens (define, 2 examples)

Answer 7

Alterations in perception and awareness of external and internal stimuli, all serotonin agonism

1) LSD
2) Mescaline

Question 8

Cannabis (3)

Answer 8

1) Has both stimulant and sedative properties, 2) wellbeing, friendliness, slowing of thought process and loss of memory,
3) agonist, acts directly on the CB1 and CB2 receptors, triggering dopamine release

Question 9

Opiates (2)

Answer 9

1) Analgesic, can produce euphoria and a sense of tranquility, highly addictive, 2) agonist, binds directly to opioid receptors,