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FSC370 > Intro to Psychopharmacology > Flashcards

Intro to Psychopharmacology Flashcards

1
Q

What is pharmacology?

A

Scientific study of the actions of drugs and their effects on living things.

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2
Q

what is neuropharmacology?

A

Drug-induced changes in the functioning of cells in the nervous system.

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3
Q

What is psychopharmacology?

A

Study of drug-induced changes in mood, thinking and behaviour.

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4
Q

what are the two main types of reasons why people take psychoactive drugs?

A

Recreational and therapeutic.

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5
Q

Give some examples of recreational reasons for people taking psychoactive drugs.

A

Increased energy
Euphoria
Relaxation
Hallucinogenic
Empathogenic

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6
Q

Give some examples of therapeutic
reasons for people taking psychoactive drugs.

A

Anxiety
depression
Schizophrenia
Insomnia
ADHD

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7
Q

What are the three drug classifications?

A

Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens

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8
Q

Give examples of drugs that are depressants.

A

Alcohol
Benzodiazepines
Opioids
Cannabis

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9
Q

Give examples of drugs that are stimulants.

A

Caffeine
Cocaine
Methamphetamine
Nicotine

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10
Q

Give examples of drugs that are hallucinogens.

A

LSD
Ketamine
Cannabis (at high concentrations)
MDMA (at high concentrations)

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11
Q

In general, how do drugs influence behaviour?

A

Have effects on neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.

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12
Q

How many neurotransmitter chemicals have been identified?

A

> 100

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13
Q

Give 4 examples of neurotransmitter classes.

A

Amino acids, monoamines, acetylcholine, neuropeptides.

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14
Q

What is classification of neurotransmitte4rs based on?

A

Chemical and molecular properties

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15
Q

Give two examples of amino acid neurotransmitters.

A

Gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA)
Glutamate

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16
Q

What is GABA?

A

Most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

17
Q

In general, how does GABA work?

A

During stressful situations, neurons can be hyperactive. GABA reduces stimulation.

18
Q

Knowing how GABA works, what is an example of a medication type that may target GABA?

A

Seizure medication

19
Q

What is glutamate?

A

Most common excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS

20
Q

What are the two major categories of transmitter receptors?

A

Ionotropic and metabotropic

21
Q

True or false: all neurotransmitters are affected by psychoactive drugs that lead to a change in behaviour

A

False. Most are not significantly affected.

22
Q

How can drugs alter synaptic transmission and nt availability?

A

Through indirect or direct interactions

23
Q

In what type of cases can psychopharmacology be relevant?

A

Homicide trials
Sexual assault cases
Impaired driving cases

24
Q

How might forensic psychopharmacology be used in a homicide trial?

A

Explain actions/behaviours of accused and deceased.

25
Q

What types of information is a toxicologist able to provide in assisting forensic cases?

A

What is the drug
Time duration of the effects
Concentration
Typical side effects

26
Q

What types of information is a psychologist/psychiatrist able to provide in assisting forensic cases?

A

Underlying mental health disorders
Was the individual able to consent/know what they were doing.
Perceptions of situations e.g., threats

27
Q

What is the most frequently detected drug in forensic cases?

28
Q

How does alcohol affect behaviour?

A

Aggression
Memory

29
Q

What is automatism?

A

An individual is unaware of their behaviour and has no conscious control over it.

30
Q

What is a common effect of automatism?

A

Partial or full amnesia afterwards

31
Q

What is a blackout?

A

Memory loss.
Failure to recall events during the period of intoxication.

32
Q

Why does alcohol not cause automatism?

A

As BAC increases, brain activity is reduced. So once consciousness is reduced, phsyical activity is no longer possible.

33
Q

What types of drugs induce automatism? Give examples

A

Dissociative anesthetics
e.g., ketamine, PCP, Z drugs

34
Q

Is cocaine-induced psychosis automatism?

A

No. Consciousness is still present, thus not fitting criteria.

35
Q

What is ambien?

A

Short acting sedative prescribed for insomnia

36
Q

What is important to keep in mind when it is stated certain side effects “have been reported”?

A

Means these were instances documented outside of controlled clinical trials, meaning it would have no other data on whether additional influences played a role.

37
Q

What is sleep-driving?

A

Driving while not fully awake with amnesia for the event

38
Q

What are important questions in trial when a prescription medication is under scrutiny?

A

Was the medication being taken as prescribed? Was it taken with other substances?

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