Exam 2 Flashcards
Different types of nervous system
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
Controls voluntary movements via skeletal muscles. It relays sensory and motor information to and from the CNS.
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Governs involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion). It is subdivided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Activated in “fight-or-flight” responses, controlling stress reactions (e.g., increasing heart rate, dilating pupils).
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
Engages in “rest-and-digest” activities, promoting relaxation (e.g., slowing heart rate, enhancing digestion).
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Regulates gastrointestinal functions, often considered a “second brain” that operates mostly independently but interacts with the ANS.
Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
Activated by the parasympathetic system during relaxation, promoting activities such as digestion, decreased heart rate, and energy storage.
Rest-and-Digest
Triggered by the sympathetic nervous system in stressful situations, leading to responses like increased heart rate, blood pressure, and energy mobilization (glucose release). Adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine are key mediators.
Fight-or-Flight
increases heart rate, dilates pupils
o SNS: Fight-or-flight response
slows heart rate, constricts pupils
o PNS: Rest-and-digest
Uses norepinephrine (NE) at target organs, with acetylcholine (ACh) at preganglionic synapses
o SNS
Primarily uses acetylcholine at both pre- and postganglionic synapses
o PNS
Receptors used for SNS
Adrenergic receptors (alpha and beta types).
Receptors used for PNS
Muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
o SNS anatomy
Preganglionic neurons originate from the thoracolumbar region, with short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers
o PNS anatomy
Preganglionic neurons arise from craniosacral regions, with long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers
Functions of Chain Ganglia (Sympathetic)
Paravertebral ganglia where sympathetic neurons synapse, distributing sympathetic signals throughout the body
Functions of PNS Plexi
Networks of intersecting nerves that govern localized autonomic functions in the body. Both the chain ganglia and PNS plexi act as hubs for neural signal distribution.
Drugs that mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (e.g., epinephrine).
- Sympathomimetic
Drugs that mimic the parasympathetic system (e.g., pilocarpine).
- Parasympathomimetic (Cholinomimetic)
Drugs that inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system (e.g., atropine).
- Parasympathoplegic
Drugs that inhibit sympathetic system activity (e.g., alpha blockers like prazosin, beta blockers like propranolol).
- Sympathoplegic (α and β blockers):
- Adrenergic receptors (SNS)
o Alpha (α1, α2) and Beta (β1, β2, β3) receptors. Second messengers: cAMP, IP3, DAG.
- Cholinergic receptors (PNS)
o Nicotinic (ionotropic) and muscarinic (M1–M5, metabotropic). Second messengers: cAMP, IP3/DAG.
Vascular smooth muscle (vasoconstriction).
o Alpha-1
Heart (increased heart rate). Receptor
o Beta-1
Bronchi (bronchodilation). Receptor
o Beta-2
Heart (slows heart rate).
o Muscarinic M2
Receptor for Skeletal muscles (muscle contraction).
o Nicotinic-Ach-R
- Autonomic Feedback
SNS increases MAP by constricting vessels, increasing heart rate, while PNS lowers MAP via vasodilation and decreased heart rate.
- Hormonal Feedback
Hormones like renin-angiotensin-aldosterone influence MAP by controlling blood volume and vascular tone, often over a longer timescale than autonomic changes.
Increased heart rate, bronchodilation, decreased digestive activity.
- Sympathetic
Slowed heart rate, bronchoconstriction, increased digestive activity.
- Parasympathetic
Primarily innervated by sympathetic fibers using beta-2 adrenergic receptors (vasodilation during exercise).
Skeletal Muscle Blood Vessel Innervation
Consists of dendrites (input), soma (cell body), axon (signal conduction), and axon terminals (output).
- Neuron
Junction between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals.
- Synapse
Six Main Classes of Neurotransmitters
- Amino acids
- Monoamines
- Peptides
- Purines
- Esters
- Gasses
Type of neurotransmitter, (e.g., nitric oxide).
Gas
(e.g., endocannabinoids).
Lipids
(e.g., ATP) type of neurotransmitter
Purines
(e.g., substance P).
Peptides
(e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine).
Monoamines
(e.g., glutamate, GABA). Type of neurotransmitter
Amino Acids
CNS Neurotransmitters and Emotion
*Dopamine: Reward and pleasure.
*Serotonin: Mood regulation.
*Norepinephrine: Arousal and stress response.
3 Types of Synapses
- Axodendritic: Between axon and dendrite.
- Axoaxonic: Between two axons.
- Axosomatic: Between axon and soma.
- Reuptake: (e.g., serotonin) is performed by
By the presynaptic neuron
- Degradation: (e.g., ACh by acetylcholinesterase).
By enzymes
- Diffusion:
Away from the synapse
What causes depolarization
- EPSP; Excitatory (e.g., glutamate).
Cause hyperpolarization in CNS
- Inhibitory (e.g., GABA).
Choline acetyltransferase
- Formation: Choline + Acetyl-CoA
- Transport:
Stored in vesicles.
Enzymatic Cleavage of Acetylcholine
Broken down by acetylcholinesterase into acetate and choline
Packaged in vesicles, released into the synapse, and degraded by acetylcholinesterase.
- ACh
Stored in vesicles, released into the synapse, reuptake by presynaptic neurons, degraded by monoamine oxidase (MAO) or catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).
- Norepi
- types of Receptor blockers (metoprolol, olol’s)
beta blockers
- Reuptake inhibitors
SSRIs for serotonin
- Enzyme inhibitors
e.g., MAO inhibitors for NE
Pilocarpine is used for___
o Glaucoma: used to reduce intraocular pressure.
Pilocarpine and cevimeline are used ___
o Xerostomia (Dry Mouth): used to stimulate salivary secretion.
Neostigmine and pyridostigmine is used ___
o Myasthenia Gravis: improve neuromuscular transmission.
Bethanechol is used ___
o Postoperative Ileus and Urinary Retention: to stimulate GI and bladder activity.
These directly activate cholinergic receptors (e.g., pilocarpine, bethanechol). They mimic the action of acetylcholine by binding to muscarinic or nicotinic receptors.
o Direct-Acting Cholinomimetics
These inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which breaks down acetylcholine, thereby increasing acetylcholine levels at synapses (e.g., neostigmine, physostigmine).
o Indirect-Acting Cholinomimetics
Ionotropic receptors found in neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) and autonomic ganglia. Activation leads to rapid depolarization via Na+ and K+ influx.
o Nicotinic Receptors
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) found in parasympathetically innervated organs. They have slower responses and modulate various cellular pathways like cAMP or IP3.
o Muscarinic (Cholinergic) Receptors
Effects of Cholinomimetics on eyes
Miosis (pupil constriction) and reduced intraocular pressure
Effects of Cholinomimetics on the heart
Decreased heart rate (bradycardia).
Effects of Cholinomimetics on the lungs
Bronchoconstriction and increased secretions
Effects of Cholinomimetics on the GI
Increased motility and secretions.
Effects of Cholinomimetics on the Bladder
Increased bladder contraction and urination
Effects of Cholinomimetics on the Glands
Increased secretion (salivation, lacrimation, sweat).
Use of Cholinomimetics
o Open-Angle Glaucoma
(e.g., pilocarpine) help to increase aqueous humor outflow by contracting the ciliary muscle.
Use of Cholinomimetics
o Angle-Closure Glaucoma
used less frequently but may help facilitate drainage before surgical intervention.
Organophosphate Insecticide Poisoning
Symptoms: Excessive salivation, sweating, bronchoconstriction, miosis, bradycardia, diarrhea, convulsions, respiratory failure.
Caused by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, leading to acetylcholine buildup.
Acute Nicotine Toxicity:
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tachycardia, hypertension, confusion, seizures, respiratory paralysis.
Enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine into acetate and choline, terminating its action at the synapse
o Acetylcholinesterase
block acetylcholine breakdown, increasing its availability
AChE inhibitors (e.g., neostigmine)
After binding to AChE, they form an irreversible bond, making enzyme reactivation by antidotes (e.g., pralidoxime) ineffective.
o Organophosphate Aging
Effects of Atropine on eyes
Mydriasis (pupil dilation) and cycloplegia (paralysis of ciliary muscles).
Effects of Atropine on the heart
Increases heart rate (tachycardia).
Effects of Atropine on the lungs
Bronchodilation
Effects of Atropine on GI
Decreases motility (constipation).
Effects of Atropine on the glands
Reduces secretions (dry mouth, dry eyes, decreased sweating).
Atropine Overdose (s/s)
Hyperthermia, dry mouth, blurred vision, photophobia, tachycardia, urinary retention, confusion, hallucinations.
Mnemonic: “Hot as a hare, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, red as a beet, mad as a hatter.”
Atropine Overdose, treatment
Supportive care, benzodiazepines for seizures, physostigmine as an antidote (it crosses the blood-brain barrier and reverses central effects).
Cholinomimetic Use in Myasthenia Graves
Pyridostigmine and neostigmine improve muscle contraction by inhibiting AChE.
Cholinomimetic Use in Glaucoma
Pilocarpine reduces intraocular pressure
Cholinomimetic Use in Post-Operative Ileus and Urinary Retention
Bethanechol stimulates smooth muscle contraction in the GI and urinary systems.
Indications for Muscarinic Antagonists (Atropine)
Bradycardia, organophosphate poisoning, preoperative to reduce secretions, eye exams (to induce mydriasis), asthma (bronchodilation).
Contraindications for Muscarinic Antagonists (Atropine)
Narrow-angle glaucoma, urinary retention, tachycardia, obstructive GI disease.
Block nicotinic receptors at autonomic ganglia (e.g., hexamethonium), causing global autonomic disruption (e.g., decreased blood pressure).
- Ganglionic Blockers
Block nicotinic receptors at the NMJ, inhibiting muscle contraction (e.g., succinylcholine, pancuronium).
- Neuromuscular Blockers
(e.g., succinylcholine) cause initial depolarization of the muscle (fasciculations) followed by paralysis.
- Depolarizing Muscle Relaxants
(e.g., rocuronium, vecuronium) competitively block acetylcholine at the NMJ without causing depolarization.
- Non-Depolarizing Muscle Relaxants
binds to nicotinic receptors, causing continuous depolarization and preventing repolarization, leading to paralysis.
o Depolarizing: Succinylcholine
compete with acetylcholine for nicotinic receptors, preventing muscle depolarization and contraction.
o Non-Depolarizing: Drugs like rocuronium
What is the structure of Catecholamines?
These molecules consist of a catechol nucleus (a benzene ring with two hydroxyl groups at positions 3 and 4) and an amine group. Examples include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
increases susceptibility to degradation by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).
Hydroxyl group at the 3,4 position
affect interaction with monoamine oxidase (MAO) and receptor selectivity (e.g., adding bulky groups increases beta receptor affinity).
Modifying the amine group
These directly bind to and activate adrenergic receptors (e.g., epinephrine acts on both alpha and beta receptors).
Direct-Acting Catecholamines
These increase the availability of endogenous catecholamines by promoting release (e.g., amphetamines) or inhibiting reuptake (e.g., cocaine) or degradation (e.g., MAO inhibitors).
Indirect-Acting Catecholamines
Types and Subtypes of Adrenergic Receptors
α1 Receptors
α2 Receptors
β1 Receptors
β2 Receptors
Gq-protein coupled → activates phospholipase C → IP3 and DAG → increases intracellular calcium → smooth muscle contraction (vasoconstriction).
α1 Receptors
Type of adrenergic receptor:
Gi-protein coupled → inhibits adenylyl cyclase → decreases cAMP → inhibits norepinephrine release (negative feedback). Vasodilation
α2 Receptors
Gs-protein coupled → activates adenylyl cyclase → increases cAMP → increases heart rate (chronotropy) and contractility (inotropy).
β1 Receptors
Gs-protein coupled → increases cAMP → smooth muscle relaxation (bronchodilation, vasodilation).
β2 Receptors
drugs that increase blood pressure, by causing vasoconstriction or increasing cardiac output (e.g., norepinephrine or phenylephrine)
A pressor agent
(α1 agonist) cause Vasoconstriction, increasing systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and blood pressure. Reflex bradycardia may occur.
phenylephrine
Ex. of a drug that cause…
β1 activation: Increases heart rate and contractility.
β2 activation: Vasodilation in skeletal muscle, bronchodilation, lowering peripheral resistance.
isoproterenol