(Exam 3) Sedative-Hypnotic and Anxiolytic Medications Flashcards
what are the different classes of sedatives?
barbiturates, benzodiazepines
what is an example of a barbiturate?
phenobarbital
what do muscle relaxers do?
don’t actually relax muscles, relax person which provides secondary muscle relaxor
what can benzos be given for?
anxiety, sleep, muscle relaxants
what are some examples of benzos?
valium, xanax, klonopin, ativan
what is the MOA for barbs and benzos?
bind to specific GABA Rs in limbic system neurons; GABA R agonist; creates overall effect of sedation of cells + person
what are the amygdala, OFC, and insula associated with?
behavioral responses
when electrically stimulating the amygdala, OFC, and insula, what happens?
can cause aggression; physical/physio responses
what do PET scans show about anxiety?
there is an increased amygdalar blood flow
what do MRI scans show about anxiety?
amygdalar abnormalities in panic disorder
what happens when you block GABAergic function?
anxiety response
what happens when there is GABA A hypofunction?
sensitizes amygdala to anxiogenic responses to otherwise non-distressful stimuli (things become more anxiety inducing)
what do benzos do to the amygdala?
they “reset” the amygdala to a more normal response level
how quickly do benzos act?
immediately
what does GABA A binding cause?
sedation, anxiolysis, cognitive impairment (HC is sedated); depends on dose
during withdrawal of barbs, what happens?
REM sleep is suppressed and there are vivid/excessive dreams
what are the pharmacological effects of barbs?
cognitive impairment, overdose risk; not analgesic
what are the psychological effects of barbs in small doses?
anxiolytic, calming