Exam 2 lecture 11

Question 1

Psychodepressants

Answer 1

Drugs that diminish physiological activity and cortical arousal, less fight and flight response

Question 2

Main subtypes

Answer 2

-GABAa receptor modulators
-Alcohol
-Opioids
-Cannabinoids

Question 3

GABA receptors (Pharmacodynamics)

Answer 3

GABAa: ionotropic

GABAb: Metabotropic

Question 4

Specific types of drugs

Answer 4

Barbiturates: Major tranquilizers, sleeping aid, oldest, most dangerous, not used (can stop breathing)

Benzodiazepines: Minor tranquilizers, sleeping aid, not as potent, a lot safer, not used a lot

Z drugs

GHB: Rape drug, very similar to GABA, NT inside brain, acts on receptors and GHB receptors, metabotropic, expressed in hippocampus, makes you not remember

Alcohol

Question 5

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 5

-Absorption: Oral
-Distribution: Easy to cross membranes, hydrophobic
-Metabolism: In the liver, by various enzymes that increase over time
-Elimination: Kidneys

Question 6

Drug responses

Answer 6

-Genetics matter, different brain areas respond to different concentrations

-Drugs make you more sleepy, slows down the brain, less anxious/depressed

-People self medicate with drugs like alcohol

-Anxiety gets worse in absence of drug, fewer receptors (tolerance)

Question 7

Brain areas responses

Answer 7

Cortex: Suppression of activity (sleepy)

Cerebellum: Disruption of fine motor control

Amygdala: Reduced emotionality

Brain stem/medulla: Suppression of breathing centers (What kills)

Question 8

Medulla/cortex graph

Answer 8

Cortex: Need higher dose to have same effect, tolerance

Medulla: Tolerance doesn’t happen, a high dose is bad