Drugs of Abuse & Their Targets

Question 1

List the drugs that act through G protein-coupled receptors.

Answer 1

1. Opiates/Heroin
2. Cannabinoids (THC)
3. LSD, Mescaline
4. Caffeine

Question 2

List the drugs that act through ion channel-linked receptors.

Answer 2

1. Nicotine
2. Benzodiazepines
3. Alcohol
4. Ketamine, PCP
5. Inhalents

Question 3

List the drugs that act through monamine transporters.

Answer 3

1. Cocaine
2. Amphetamines
3. MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly)

Question 4

Opiates

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 4

1. mu-opiod-R
2. Gi/o (hyperpolarization)
3. disinhibition of DA release –> increased DA –> euphoria

Question 5

Cannabinoids (THC)

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 5

1. CB1-R, CB2-R
2. Gi/o (hyperpolarization)
3. disinhibition of DA release –> increased DA –> euphoria (+/– mild visual hallucinations)

Question 6

LSD, Mescaline

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 6

1. 5HT2-R
2. Gq (inc IP3 –> depolarization)
3. hallucinations, distorted perception of time, depersonalization

Question 7

Caffeine

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 7

1. (X) A1-R, A2-R (blocks adenosine receptors)
2. Gi/o (A1), Gs (A2)
3. increased arousal

Question 8

Nicotine

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 8

1. nACHn-R
2. increased cation conductance, depolarization
3. disinhibition of DA release

Question 9

Benzodiazepines

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 9

1. GABA-R (allosteric)
2. potentiates GABA
3. hyperpolarization, sedation, mild euphoria, DA release

Question 10

Alcohol

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 10

1. GABA-R (allosteric), blocks NMDA-R
2. inhibits Glu
3. hyperpolarization, sedation, euphoria, DA release

Question 11

Ketamine, PCP

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 11

1. blocks NMDAR
2. inhibits Glu
3. disorientation, hallucinations, mild euphoria, DA release

Question 12

Inhalents

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 12

1. unknown
2. unknown
3. disorientation, mild euphoria

Question 13

Cocaine

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 13

1. blocks DAT, NET, SERT
2. increase DA, NE, 5HT in synapses
3. euphoria

Question 14

Amphetamines

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 14

1. blocks VMAT (displaces DA)
2. increase DA in synapses, depletion of DA in cells
3. euphoria, neurotoxicity

Question 15

MDMA (Ecstasy)

1. Primary Target
2. Primary Effect
3. Consequence

Answer 15

1. blocks SERT
2. increase 5HT in synapses, depletion of 5HT in cells
3. euphoria, neurotoxicity