exam 2 key terms and concepts Flashcards
AMPA
a compound that is a specific agonist for the AMPA receptor, where it mimics the effects of the neurotransmitter glutamate
- responsible for the bulk of fast excitatory synaptic transmission throughout the CNS and their modulation is the ultimate mechanism that underlies much of the plasticity of excitatory transmission that is expressed in the brain
anxiolytics
a drug used to reduce anxiety
excitatory amino acid nuerotransmitters
an amino acid which is able to transmit a nerve message across a synapse. neurotransmitters are packaged into vesicles that cluster beneath the axon terminal membrane on the presynaptic side of a synapse in a process called endocytosis
GABAergic synapse
GABA is the main neurotransmitter at inhibitory synapses in the mammalian brain. it is essential for maintaining the excitation and inhibition ratio, whose imbalance underlies various brain diseases
glutamate recognition site
glutamatergic synapse
main excitatory synapses in the brain. consist of glutamate localized inside presynaptic vesicles and glutamate receptors on the postsynaptic membrane
glycine site
a therapeutic target for improving cognition and reducing negative symptoms
- glycine is inhibitory
kainate
ionotropic receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter glutamate
- kainate receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission and are localized to the presynaptic and postsynaptic sides of excitatory synapses
metabotropic
also referred to as G-protein-coupled-receptor, a type of membrane receptor that initiates a number of metabolic steps to modulate cell activity.
Mg2+ site
- numerous physiological roles among which are control of neuronal activity, cardiac excitability, neuromuscular transmission, muscular contraction, vasomotor tone, blood pressure and peripheral blood flow
NMDA
a family of L-glutamate receptors, play an important role in learning and memory, and are critical for spatial memory
PCP site
major action is as a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDA class of glutamate receptor
- believed to bind to a site within the channel pore that is only accessible when the channel is open
sedative-hypnotics
classes of drugs used to induce and/or maintain sleep
gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA)
the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system
- functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter - reduce neuronal excitability by inhibiting nerve transmission
acetaldehyde
organic chemical compound
- when you drink alcohol, your liver turns acetadehyde into an acid. some enters the blood and can damage membranes and cause scar tissue, this is what results in a hangover
baclofen
used to help relax certain muscles in the body
- relieves spasms, cramping, and tightness of meculees
barbiturate site
barbiturates bind to specific GABA sensitive ion channels found within the CNS
- by binding to these sites, barbiturates allow an influx of chloride into cell membranes and subsequently hyperpolarize the postsynaptic neuron
BDZ agonist (diazepam)
anxiolytic and sedative
- works by increasing the levels of calming chemicals in your brain
BDZ antagonist (flumazenil)
GABA receptor antagonist
- it can treat drowsiness caused by sedatives following surgery or drug overdose
BDZ inverse agonist
bind to benzodiazepine receptor site but have reverse effects
benzodiazepine
class of depressant drugs
- produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures
- slow down the central nervous system
bicuclline
light sensitive competitive antagonist of GABA receptors
- induces clonic and tonic-clonic seizures
buspirone
belongs to the anxiolytics class, it works by changing the amount of certain substances in the brain
chloral hydrate
used as a short-term treatment of insomnia. it may also be used to decrease anxiety
- do not take with alcohol or barbiturates, or diazepam
chlordiazepoxide
used to relieve symptoms of anxiety, including nervousness or anxiety, it may also be taken to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
- benzodiazepine
diazepam
used to relieve anxiety and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal, can also be used along with other medications to control muscle spasms
- benzodiazepines
- works by calming abnormal overactivity in the brain
disulfiram
used to treat chronic alcoholism - causes side effect when small amounts of alcohol are consumed
ethanol
chemical in alcohol
GABA aminotransferase
glutamate
most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain and nervous system
- plays a role in shaping learning and memory
muscimol
one of the most widely used agonists of ionotropic GABA receptors
NAD
NADH
oxazepam
benzodiazepine
- can treat anxiety, anxiety with depression, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
pentobarbital
works in the CNS by binding to GABAa subtype receptors. this action induces a change in the chloride transport receptor leading to an increase in the duration that the chloride channels remain open, hence potentiating GABA effects
pentylenetrazol
noncompeitive antagonism of the GABAa receptor complex
- anticonvulsant
phenobarbital
increases the amount of time chloride channels are open, depressing the central nervous system
- used to control seizures
pircrotozin
CNS stimulant, GABA antagonist, it is a noncompetitive antagonist at GABAa receptors and thus a convulsant
secobarbital
used to treat insomnia, can cause paranoia, or suicidal ideation, and impair memory
- depresses CNS activity by binding to barbiturate site at GABA receptor complex enhancing GABA activity, depressing reticular activity system
steroid site
bind to intracellular receptors which then act to modulate gene transcription in target tissues
thiopental
what does excitatory vs. inhibitory amino acids mean?
Excitatory amino acids (EAA) will activate post-synaptic cells. inhibitory amino acids (IAA) depress the activity of post-synaptic cells.
why do some amino acids cause excitation and other inhibition?
describe the locations of the synthesis storage and degradation of glutamate
how does glutamate cause neuronal injury?
During pathological conditions such as those experienced during ischemia, excessive release of glutamate overactivates glutamate receptors, resulting in a massive influx of sodium ions, chloride ions, and water, which cause neurons to swell and may ultimately lead to rapid neuronal loss from necrosis.
what other agents act on GABAa receptors and why is this important?
Of particular importance are drugs that modulate GABAA receptor complex, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, neuroactive steroids, intravenous and inhalational anesthetics, and ethanol.
list the various classes of CNS depressants and give examples of each class
Alcohol.
Barbiturates.
Benzodiazepines.
Many Sleeping Pills.
Opioids.
what are common terms for CNS depressants
sedatives or tranquilizers
what are the consequences of the drug blockade of glutamate receptors?
Image result for what are the consequences of the drug blockage of glutamate receptors
Mechanistically, antagonist-mediated blocking of NMDA receptor (hypofunctioning) leads to the excessive release of excitatory neurotransmitters (glutamate and acetylcholine) in different brain regions, which in turn causes hyperstimulation of postsynaptic neurons and subsequent induction of psychotic conditions.
describe the consequences of a person taking progressively larger doses of a non-selective CNS depressant?
Excessive consumption of depressants can lead to respiratory depression, seizures, and potentially even death. CNS depressants should not be combined with any medication or substance that causes sedation, including prescription pain medicines, certain over-the-counter allergy medications, and alcohol.
what is meant by cross-tolerance of CNS depressants
Cross-tolerance is a phenomenon that occurs when tolerance to the effects of a certain drug produces tolerance to another drug. It often happens between two drugs with similar functions or effects—for example, acting on the same cell receptor or affecting the transmission of certain neurotransmitters.
what mechanisms are responsible for the differing durations of action of various barbiturates
inhibition of the central nervous system. It causes central nervous system depression. This is brought about by stimulating the inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the brain called the [gamma]-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system.
what are the oldest CNS depressants? the newest?
why might antiepileptic drugs be considered for use in non-epileptic psychological disorders?
The AEDs gabapentin (GBP) and pregabalin (PGB) have become the mainstay of treatment for various neuropathic pain syndromes, owing to their ability to inhibit neuronal hyperactivity along the pain pathways.
activated microglia
observed in various central nervous system (CNS) diseases and is important for coordinating the immune system’s resources during disease-associated neuroinflammation.
- The chronic activation of microglia may in turn cause neuronal damage through the release of potentially cytotoxic molecules such as proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen intermediates, proteinases and complement proteins.
- following exposure to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and/or endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and removal of the immune-suppressive signals. Activated microglia can acquire different phenotypes depending on cues in its surrounding environment.
acute phase response
is a prominent systemic reaction of the organism to local or systemic disturbances in its homeostasis caused by infection, tissue injury, trauma or surgery, neoplastic growth or immunological disorders
adrenal cortex
the outer region and also the largest part of an adrenal gland. It is divided into three separate zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Each zone is responsible for producing specific hormones.
- The adrenal cortex produces several hormones. The most important are aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid), cortisol (a glucocorticoid), and androgens and estrogen (sex hormones).
adrenal medulla
The inner part of the adrenal gland (a small organ on top of each kidney). The adrenal medulla makes chemicals such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) which are involved in sending nerve signals. Enlarge.
adrenocorticotrophic hormone
to stimulate your adrenal glands to release cortisol. Cortisol is an essential hormone that affects almost every organ and tissue in your body.
anterior pituitary
is the front lobe of your pituitary gland, which is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of your brain below your hypothalamus. Your pituitary gland is a part of your endocrine system and controls the function of several other endocrine glands.
autocrine cell
a form of cell signaling in which a cell secretes a hormone or chemical messenger that binds to autocrine receptors on that same cell, leading to changes in the cell.
autonomic nervous system
corticotropin-releasing hormone
a peptide hormone that activates the synthesis and release of adrenocorticotropic hormone from the pituitary gland
- affects our response. to stress, addiction, and depression amongst others
cytokines
any number of substances such as interferon, interleukin, and growth factors which are secreted by certain cells of the immune system and have an effect on other cells
exocrine
relating to or denoting glands that secrete their products through ducts opening onto an epithelium rather than directly into the bloodtream
homeostasis
inflammatory response
non specific response that occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, heat, toxins, or any other cause
- the damaged cells release chemicals including histamine, bradykinin, and porstaglandins
lymphocytes
a form of small leukocyte with a single round nucleus
macrophages
a large phagocytic cell found in stationary from in the tissues or as a mobile white blood cell, especially at sites of infection
mast cells
play an important role in how the immune system responds to certain bacteria and parasties and they help control other types of immune responses
microglia
glial cells derived from the mesoderm that function as macrophages in the CNS
- regulate brain development, maintenance of neuronal networks, and injury repair
negative feedback
refers to a case where outputs from a system are subsequently fed back into it, minimizing or reducing the effect of subsequent iterations
paracrine cell
often cells that are near one another communicate through the release of chemical messengers
pheromone
substances which are secreted to the outside by an individual and received by a second individual of the same species
pituitary gland
the major endocrine gland, attached to the base of the brain, is important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands
pre-ganglionic fiber
originating from the brain or spinal cord enter motor ganglia, where they synapse on multipolar cell bodies.