Drugs of Dependence and Antidepressants Flashcards
What is drug dependence?
Addiction
Drug use becomes compulsive and takes precedence over other needs
What is drug abuse?
Use of illicit substances (or illicit use of illegal ones) characterised by recurrent & chronically significant adverse consequences
Important site of the reward pathway…1… mediated by the release of …2..
1 Nucleus Accumbens
2 Dopamine
People who become addicted to drugs tend to have lower levels of —– in the nucleus accumbens to start with
Dopamine
What are some examples of 1st generation antidepressants?
Tryciclic AntiD
MAO inh
Tryciclic AntiD mechanism of action
inhibit neuronal uptake of NA and serotonin
narrow therapeutic window, side effects come first
MAO inh mechanism of action
increases levels of NA, Dopamine and serotonin by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks them down
2 generation of antidepressants include
Selective Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors (SSRI)
Selective Serotonin/Noradrenaline Uptake Inhibitors (SSNRI)
Caffeine belongs to the drug group…
Methylxanthine
MDMA (ecstacy) prolonged use causes
death of hyppocampal neurons
Site of action for LSD
5HT2 R
Why does LSD tend to be less addictive?
BAd trips
is alcohol a depressant or stimulant? why?
Depressant, inhibits Ca+2 channels in the CNS. inhibits glutamate R and enhances GABA activity
Active compound found in Marijuana
D9 THC
D9 THC mechanism of action?
acts on G protein coupled receptors blocking the activity of adenylate cyclase (inhibits the inhibition of inhibitory pathway —> more inhibition)
