IC4 Neuropharmacology, Anti-migraine, Anti-epileptics Flashcards
Describe the neurophysiological process of signaling
- Resting Membrane Potential
- Depolarization and Action Potential
- Repolarization
- Active Conduction
What is the distribution of ions at RMP?
- K+: Intracellular > Extracellular
- Na+: Extracellular > Intracellular
- Cl-: Extracellular > Intracellular
K+ > Cl- Intracellularly
What happens at depolarization?
Voltage-gated sodium channels open
Influx of sodium ions down concentration gradient into cell causing the cell to be more positive (depolarized)
Once threshold is reached, more voltage-gated sodium channels open resulting in an action potential
Hodgkin-Huxley Cycle = Na influx
What happens at repolarization?
Voltage-gated potassium channels open
Potassium efflux (Absolute refractory period)
Voltage-gated sodium channels close
Become more negative
How does active conduction happen in unmyelinated and myelinated neurons?
- Unmyelinated - Multiple Na channels in close proximity
- Myelinated - Saltatory conduction at Nodes of Ranvier
Describe the neurochemistry of Acetylcholine
- Synthesis by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in presynaptic neuron
- Action potential causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open
- Calcium influx causes acetylcholine granules to be exocytosed
- Fate of ACh
- Catabolism by Acetylcholinesterase
- Feedback to presynaptic neuron to regulate release of ACh
- Receptor on postsynaptic neuron
Describe how synaptic transmission occurs
- Initiation
- Action potential, voltage-gated calcium channel opening and Ca influx
- VAMPs release vesicles from cytoskeleton and facilitates docking, fusion and exocytosis from presynaptic membrane
- Autoreceptor regulation (Feedback inhibition) - Propagation
- Second messenger activation
- Depolarization and action potential - Termination
- Catalytic enzymes
- Reuptake transporters
4 Major Neurotransmitters and their roles
- Glutamate - Excitatory (Learning & memory)
- GABA - Inhibitory
- ACh (Learning, arousal, reward)
- Dopamine - Motor system (Reward)
Drug effects on synaptic transmission - Different targets for agonism and antagonism?
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
- Enzyme degradation of neurotransmitter
- Neurotransmitter exocytosis
- Autoreceptor (Block or activate)
- Postsynaptic receptor
- Catalysis or reuptake of neurotransmitter
What is the function of BBB?
Immunologically isolate the brain
Provide stable and chemically optimal environment
What is the rationale of antiepileptic action?
Reduce excitability and enhance inhibitory GABA
MOA and clinical use of Phenytoin
Block Voltage-gated sodium channels
All seizures except Absence seizures
Phenytoin use in pregnancy?
Teratogenic
PK Profile of phenytoin
- Saturation kinetics
- Non-linear relationship of dose-plasma concentration
MOA and clinical use of carbamazepine
Block Voltage-gated Na channels
All seizures except Absence seizures
Carbamazepine accelerates elimination of drugs because …
It is a hepatic enzyme inducer (CYP450)
Its on half-life is shortened with repeated dose
Why is genetic screening in carbamazepine regimen important?
Carbamazepine has pharmacogenomic effects in SJS and TEN
Presence of HLA-B* 1502 allele
MOA and clinical use of Valproate
Block Na and Ca channels
Inhibits GABA transaminase
All seizures including Absence seizures
Valproate PK characteristic (one unique)
Strong plasma protein bound, displacing other antiepileptic
ADRs of Antiepileptics
Dose-related:
- Drowsy, confused
- Nystagmus (Eye), Ataxia (Muscle), Slurred speech
- Nausea, coma
- Unusual behavior and mental change
Non-dose related:
- Acne, hirsutism
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Folate deficiency
- Osteomalacia
- Hypersensitivity, SJS, TEN