Intro to neuropsychopharmacology II Flashcards
What are the subdivisions of bipolar disease?
What is experienced during a manic episode?
Bipolar I > Bipolar II > Cyclothymic disorder.
Increased: Self-esteem, talkativeness, distractability, pleasure. Agitation and racing thoughts.
Lithium
What is its mechanism of action?
What are some important drug interactions?
How long-lived is it?
Lithium
Prevents conversion of IP2 to IP1, blocking the IP3/DAG signaling pathway.
It is sensitive to Na+ excretion, so beware: diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and Losartan.
Despite being unbound, its serum half-life is a day or more.
Lithium
What are its indications?
What are its side effects?
Lithium
It is used to treat mania, and may be helpful in unipolar disease and cluster headaches.
It can cause fatigue, tremor, GI upset and ataxia. It can be toxic in high doses, and is contraindicated in pregnant women. VERY NARROW THERAPEUTIC WINDOW.
Carbamazepine
What is the mechanism of action?
What are its indications?
What are some side effects?
Carbamazepine
Blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels.
Used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy (partial seizures).
CNS depression: Diplopia, GI upset, drowsiness. In fetuses, increases risk to develop spina bifida.
Valproic Acid
What is the mechanism of action?
What are its indications?
What are its side effects?
Valproic Acid
It blocks voltage-gated Na+ channels (maybe L-type Ca2+ too). Affects GABA.
It is used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy (absence/partial/myoclonic seizures)
GI upset, weight gain, hair loss, hepatotoxicity, spina bifida.
Which has better oral absorption: Carbamazepine or Valproate?
Which induces hepatic enzyme?
Valproic acid.
Carbamazepine.
What is the prototypical anxiety disorder? What are its symptoms?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Observe ANS arousal and muscle jitters. Patients report intense worry, agitation, and insomnia.
What neurotransmitters regulate REM and slow-wave sleep?
Slow wave sleep is regulated by serotonin.
REM sleep is regulated by norepinephrine.
Describe the GABAnergic synapse. How is GABA eliminated? What is the receptor?
GABA is secreted into the cleft in a Ca2+-dependent exocytosis. It can act on GABA receptors, which are typically pentameric chloride channels. It is eliminated by presynaptic reuptake, and by action of GABA-transaminase.
How do benzodiazepine and barbiturates interact with GABA channels?
What is the only “antagonist” that antagonizes the benzodiazepine receptor?
They bind to separate extracellular sites on the channel, promoting chloride flux (agonists). Note that while benzodiazepines only potentiate the effects of GABA, barbiturates can cause flux by themselves.
Only fluazenil antagonizes the BDZ site.
Buspirone
What is the mechanism of action?
What are its indications?
Describe its kinetics.
Buspirone
It is an agonist for 5-HT1Areceptors. Also antagonizes dopamine receptors.
It is used to treat anxiety disorders, without interacting with other sedatives.
Effects take 1-2 weeks, and the drug has a 2-11hr half-life.
Alprazolam and Diazepam
What class of drugs are they?
What are their indications?
Which is longer acting?
Alprazolam and Diazepam
They are benzodiazepines.
They are indicated in anxiety disorders. Diazepam is also a muscle relaxant.
Diazepam has long duration; a day or more compared to Alprazolam’s 12hrs.
What benzodiazepines are prescribed for sleep?
What traits are desirable for sleep aids?
Flurazepam, Triazolam, Lorazepam (Ativan), and Zolpidem (Ambien)
A good sleep has a fast onset and moderate duration–not long enough to cause daytime drowsiness, but enough to maintain sleep.
How would the following traits affect the kinetics of a benzodiazepine:
Lipophilicity
Activation to an active metabolite
Lipophilicity appears to provide for fast entry, but fast redistribution.
Conversion to active metabolites extends effective half-life.
Summarize the effects of benzodiazepines.
Contrast these with the withdrawal effects.
Anxiolysis, sedation/hypnosis, muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant.
Withdrawal typically involves the reversal of these effects.