Exam #01a - Intro to CNS Pharmacology

Question 1

Which part of the brain is associated with memory?

Answer 1

Hippocampus, part of the limbic system)

Question 2

Drugs affecting BP, HR, and RR would affect which part of the brain?

Answer 2

Midbrain and brainstem

Question 3

Which part of the brain is associated with higher thought processes including consequences?

Answer 3

Cerebral cortex

Question 4

What are the (2) supportive cells of the brain?

Answer 4

1. astrocytes

2. oligodendroglia

Question 5

True or False - any agent that slows or blocks the axonal electrical conduction will affect sensation, perception, and behavior?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

True or False - the ability of an agent to affect CNS function depends on its ability to cross or mediate an effect across the BBB?

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What is the primary cellular mechanism by which plasma protein constituents and macromolecules pass through the cerebrovascular endothelium (BBB)?

Answer 7

Pinocytosis (transendothelial vesicular transport)

Question 8

List the (6) drug-sensitive sites of drug action?

Answer 8

1. excitable membrane
2. presynaptic or postsynaptic receptors
3. synthesis and storage of transmitters
4. uptake sites
5. cytoplasmic organelles
6. microtubules

Question 9

True or False - both the frequency and magnitude of neurons firing can be altered by drugs?

Answer 9

False - ONLY the FREQUENCY can be changed, magnitude (AP) cannot be changed

Question 10

How do most drugs appear to act on the CNS?

Answer 10

by changing ion flow through transmembrane channels of nerve cells (LGIC’s) –> ionotropic

Question 11

What is the approximate resting transmembrane potention of a neuron?

Answer 11

-70mV

Question 12

What type of patient would benefit from a drug that causes a EPSP?

Answer 12

Patient whose neurons aren’t firing as rapidly as needed. An EPSP means that an excitatory stimulus was given and now the next time a stimulus is applied, the neuron is more likely to reach threshold and produce an AP

Question 13

What type of patient would benefit from a drug that causes a IPSP?

Answer 13

Patient with epilepsy whose neurons are firing uncontrollably. An IPSP hyperpolarizes (makes it more negative) a neuron making it less likely to reach threshold and fire

Question 14

Many inputs arrive at a postsynaptic cell with each one carrying a potentially different signal. Which part of the postsynaptic neuron determines if the neuron actually produces an AP?

Answer 14

Hillock (trigger zone)

Question 15

Name (2) excitatory amino acids?

Answer 15

1. glutamate (Glu)

2. aspartate (Asp)

Question 16

Name (2) inhibitory amino acid?

Answer 16

1. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

2. glycine (Gly)

Question 17

What % of neurons have AChRs? Of this %, are there more mAChRs (7TM GPCRs) or nAChR’s (ligand-gated ion channels)?

Answer 17

~25%

More mAChRs

Question 18

NE receptors in the brain are responsible for many functions. Name (5)?

Answer 18

1. alertness
2. learning and memory
3. sleep/wake cycle
4. reward
5. BP regulation

Question 19

What are the (4) major NT receptors in the CNS?

Answer 19

1. ACh
2. NE
3. DA
4. 5-HT

Question 20

What is the predominant catecholamine in the CNS?

Answer 20

DA

Question 21

DA is transmitted from one part of the brain to another by what (3) pathways? Indicate for each pathway what is controlled by it?

Answer 21

1. nigrostriatal (motor control)
2. mesolimbic (behavior)
3. hypthalamus-piuitary (hormone release)

Question 22

Which NT is associated with sleep, mood, and emotion?

Answer 22

serotonin

Question 23

True or False - all 5-HT receptors in CNS are metabotropic except one (5-HT3)?

Answer 23

True