Exam 2 Flashcards
How is alcohol produced?
fermentation (sugar broken down into usable forms of alcohol) of different things like grapes, grain, etc.
which disease is affected by alcohol?
Korsakoff’s disease
can you die from alcohol? how?
yes. respiratory failure
how does alcohol get to the blood?
drinken, then stomach, then small intestine, then large intestine. it can go to the blood from the stomach.
how is blood alcohol level measured?
amount of alcohol (g) per 100 milliliters (ml) of blood. 80 mg/100ml= 0.08
how is alcohol metabolized?
Ethanol is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase into acetaldehyde is broken down by aldehyde dehydrogenase into acetate, which is then further broken down into energy, CO2, and water
What are the mechanisms of action for alcohol?
GABA (GABAa) and Glutamate (NMDA)
How does alcohol affect GABA?
it enhances the ability of GABAa to open Cl- channel. it is a positive allosteric modulator. affects the cerebellum
Positive allosteric modulator
positive: drug enhances what the NT does. allosteric: different positions
how does alcohol affect glutamate
decreases function of NMDA functioning- blocks the channel, decreasing ability for ions to flow through.affects hippocampus since NMDA is packed there
with chronic alcohol use, how is Glutamate affected?
NMDA receptors are upregulated- body makes more of them. pharmacodynamic
does alcohol affect dopamine?
yes. indirectly though. alcohol affects GABA, enhancing inhibition of the cell that inhibits the VTA, meaning more dopamine is released from the VTA
which genes affect dependence of alcohol?
alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase
alcohol dehydrogenase
first enzyme in the pathway of alcohol. some people have a gene that causes rapid conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde, which sucks.
aldehyde dehydrogenase
second enzyme in alcohol pathway. makes aldehyde dehydrogenase left effective, so acetaldehyde stays in the system longer, which also sucks.
difference between Anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics?
anxiolytics are longer lasting while fast acting ones are sedative hypnotics. anxiolytics are used to make you less anxious while sedative-hypnotics are used to make you sleepy
barbiturates
-barb in name. really effective, but also risky (replaced by benzodiazepines)
anxiety meds
alprozolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium)
sleep meds
trozalam (Halcion) and temazepam (restoring)
Z drugs
sleep meds, pretty similar to benzodiazepines, but don’t interfere with sleep architecture, length of time, and progress
Z drug meds
zolpidem (ambiem) and eszopiclone (Lunesta)
can anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics kill you?
yeah. barbiturates can have a high potential for overdose while benzodiazepines are rarely fatal by themselves, but can become dangerous combing them with a depressant
how does barbiturates kill you?
respiratory failure
what is the mechanism of action for anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics?
GABAa receptors. they are positive allosteric modulators
where do different anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics bind?
barbiturates bind at the same place as alcohol and an open the channel by themselves. benzos and Z drugs bind at different places
does anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics have an affect on dopamine?
yes, indirectly. again, it further inhibits GABA cells that inhibit cells of the VTA, causing more dopamine to be released.