Intro to Neuropsychopharmacology Part 1 Flashcards
where are the neuron cell bodies containing norepinephrine located
neurons containing norepinephrine are located in the locus coeruleus and innervate nearly every part of the CNS
Where are neurons containing serotonin located
neurons containing serotonin are located in two groups of raphe nuclei and project to most of the brain
where are neurons containing dopamine located
- dopaminergic (DA) pathways in the brain are responsible for the beneficial and adverse effects of many antipsychotic drugs
- Mesolimbic and Mesocortical pathways
GABA localization in brain
- substantia nigra
- globus pallidus
- hippocampus
- limbic structures: Amgydala
- hypothalamus
- spinal cord
List the Bipolar and related disorders
- bipolar I
- Bipolar II
- cyclothymic disorder
List the depressive disorders
- disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
- major depressive disorder
- persistant depressive disorder
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Criteria for MDD
- depressed mood
- diminished interest or pleasure
- weight change
- insomnia/hypersomnia
- fatigue or loss of energy
- feelings of worthlessness
- inappropriate guilt
- agitation/retardation
- difficulty concentrating
- preoccupation with death/suicidal ideation
Describe the monoamine theory of depression and how we think of it today
- the theory results from functionally deficient monoamine (NE and or 5-HT) transmission in the CNS
- based on pharmacological evidence
- known antidepressant drugs (TCAs and MAO inhibitors) facilitate monoaminergic transmission
- drugs such as reserpine that depletes amines to cause depression
- however other pharmacological evidence fails to support eh traditional monoamine hypothesis (takes 2 weeks for drugs to work0)
- simple monoamine hypothesis is no longer tenable as an explanation of depression, BUT pharmacological manipulation of monoamine transmission remains the most successful approach to treating depression
Classical Biogenic amine theory of MDD
depression is due to a deficiency of NE and/or 5HT
Effect of tricyclic antidepressants on noradrenergic transmission
- blockade of neurotransmitter uptake NE and 5-HT
- or acts on receptors and second messengers
Current status of Monoamine Theory –
Depression is due to a biogeneic amine receptor or transmission imbalance. the various drugs that we are discussing today act to change the imbalance and restore a more normal affect
Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors
- Block SERT so serotonin isn’t taken up and there is more available in the cleft
- antidepressant actions are similar in efficacy and time course to those of CTAs
- acute toxicity is less than that of a TCA and monoamine oxidase inhibitor therefore overdose risk is reduced
- side effects include nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction
- no food reactions, but dangerous “serotonin reaction” (hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, cardiovascular collapse) can occur if given with MAOIs
SSRI WIthdrawal
-dizziness
-ligt headedness
-vertigo/feeling faint
-shock-like sensations
-paresthesia
-anxiety
fatigue
-gait instability
-headache
-insomnia
-irritabilit
-nausea or vomiting
-tremor
-visual disturbances
-symptoms appear within 1-7 days after stopping an SSRI
SSRI approved uses
- Major depression
- OCD
- Panic disorder
- social anxiety disorder
- PTSD
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- PMS now PDD (premenstraul dysphoric disorder)
- hot flashes associated with menopause
Fluoxetine
-Frist SSRI on the market
effects on drug metabolism
-long half life active metabolite (7 days or more)
-now available as sustained release product for PDD
Sertraline
similar in action to fluoxetine with less effects on drug metabolism
- shorter half life
- OCD
- Panic attacks
SNRI drugs
- block both 5-HT and NE reuptake
- side effect profile is more SSRI like than TCA like
- ex: Duloxetine
Duloxetine
- 12-18 hour half life
- also approved for neuropathic pain syndromes, fibromyalgia, back pain and osteoarthritis pain
- use with caution in patients with liver disease
- can produce withdrawal symptoms
Norepinephrine synapse
- Tyr enters the cell and is converted to DOPA which is converted to Dopamine
- dopamine enters the vacuole and is converted to NE
- NE is released from the cell and can act on the alpha receptor or the B receptor
- NE is taken up by NAT into the axon.
SNRI Drugs
- mechanism of action
- inhibition of 5HT and NE reuptake
- treatment of neuropathic pain
- treatment of depressive disorders
TCA
- same stuff as SNRIs
- but also receptor blockade
- muscarinic receptors=blurred vision, xerostomia, urinary retention, constipation, narrow angle glaucoma
- histamine H1 receptors=sedation
- alpha adrenergic receptors=orthostatic hypotension, dissiness, reflex tahcycardia
Atypical antidepressants
- drugs without typical tricycli structure or SSRI or SNRI action. may or may not block catecholamine uptake
- Bupropion
- Mirtazapine
Bupropion
- atypical antidepressant
- also approved for nicotine withdrawal and seasonal affective disorder.
- weakly blocks NE and Dopamine uptake
- no weight gain or sexual dysfunction
Mirtazapine
- blocks presynaptic apha2 receptors in brain
- increase appetite for AIDS patients with AIDS wasting syndrome
Tricyclic antidepressants
- first highly effective drugs for the treatment of depression
- block NE and 5-HT reuptake
- now used secondarily to SSRIs and other newer compounds
- long plasma life
Pharmacological properties of TCAs
- produces elevation of mood in depressed patients after about 2 to 3 weeks
- decreases REM and increases stage 4 sleep
- prominent anticholinergic effects
- sedation
- cardiac abnormalities-due to anticholinergic effects and increased NE concentrations palpitations, tachycardia and arrhythmias
- overdoses-acute toxicity-symptoms include hyperpyrexia, hyper or hypotension, seizures, coma, and cardiac conduction defects