L12 - Neuropharmacology

Question 1

What does neuropharmacology study?

Answer 1

How chemicals like drugs and neurotransmitters affect neuronal function in the nervous system

Question 2

What are endogenous chemicals in neuropharmacology?

Answer 2

Neurotransmitters

Question 3

What are exogenous chemicals in neuropharmacology?

Answer 3

Drugs

Question 4

What role do calcium channels play in neurotransmitter release?

Answer 4

Calcium influx triggers vesicle fusion with the presynaptic membrane, which releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Question 5

How are neurotransmitters cleared from the synaptic cleft?

Answer 5

Through reuptake by transporters, enzymatic breakdown or diffusion away from the cleft

Question 6

What is the synaptic cleft?

Answer 6

Small gap between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons where neurotransmitter transmission occurs

Question 7

How do neurotransmitters binding to receptors affect the postsynaptic neuron?

Answer 7

It can cause either excitation (EPSP) or inhibition (IPSP) depending on the receptor type

Question 8

What is the role of ionotropic receptors?

Answer 8

They directly regulate ion fluxes through ion channels

Question 9

What happens when acetylcholine binds to a nicotinic receptor?

Answer 9

Sodium channels open, causing depolarisation (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential - EPSP).

Question 10

How does GABA binding to GABA-A receptors affect the cell?

Answer 10

Chloride channels open, causing hyperpolarisation (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential IPSP)

Question 11

What is the difference between metabotropic and ionotropic receptors?

Answer 11

Metabotropic receptors regulate intracellular metabolic reactions often through G-protein mediated systems and have slower, longer-lasting effects.

Ionotropic receptors directly regulate ion fluxes through ion channels causing rapid ad short-lasting effects

Question 12

Give an example of a metabotropic receptor?

Answer 12

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 13

what are 3 examples of ionotropic receptors?

Answer 13

Glutamate receptors, GABA-A receptors, nicotine acetycholine receptors

Question 14

Name a serotonin receptor that’s ionotropic?

Answer 14

the 5HT-3 receptor

Question 15

What is a receptor agonists?

Answer 15

A substance that mimics the action of the native neurotransmitter at a receptor

Question 16

What is a receptor antagonist?

Answer 16

Substances that bind to a receptor but don’t activate it, blocking neurotransmitter binding

Question 17

What are Barbiturates and how do they differ from BZs in terms of safety?

Answer 17

Barbiturates are drugs that act as CNS depressants

They have a higher risk of dependence and fatal respiratory depression compared to BZs

Question 18

How do BZs modulate GABA-A receptors?

Answer 18

They enhance the effect of GABA by binding to an allosetric site (location on the receptor that’s separate from the active site), increasing chloride influx and inhibition

Question 19

What does the Diazepam Binding Inhibitor (DBI) do?

Answer 19

DBI is an endogenous modulator of GABA-A receptor fucntion, affecting inhibition in the brain

Question 19

What are presynaptic receptors?

Answer 19

receptors located on the neurone terminals that modulate neurotransmitter release

Question 20

What’s the role of autoreceptors?

Answer 20

The provide negative feedback to reduce neurotransmitter release, synthesis or storage

Question 21

How do heteroreceptors differ from autotrceptros

Answer 21

Heterorecptors modulate neurotransmitter release of another neuron and autoreceptos modulate thier own neuron’s transmitter release

Question 22

Can heteroreceptors be excitatory?

Answer 22

Yes - heteroreceptors can enhance neurotransmitter release in the second terminal

Question 23

What do Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) do?

Answer 23

They inhibit monoamine oxadise enzymes, preventing neurotransmitter breakdown and increasing levels in the synaptic cleft

Question 24

How do SSRIs alleviate the symptoms of depression?

Answer 24

They block serotonin reuptake, increasing the avaliability in the synpatic cleft

Question 25

What drug(s) prevent action potentials by blocking sodium channels?

Answer 25

Tetrodotoxin or some local anesthetics

Question 26

Name a drug that inhibits neurotransmitter reuptake

Answer 26

Cocaine - blocks dopamine reuptake, increasing its concentration in the synaptic cleft

Question 27

Which drug increases dopamine sythesis?

Answer 27

L-DOPA is used to increase dopamine synthesis in Parkinson's disease

Question 28

What drug is used to prevent neurotransmitter storage?

Answer 28

Reserpine blocks the storage of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in vesicles

Question 29

How does reserpine affect neurotransmitter availability?

Answer 29

It prevents neurotransmitter storage in vesicles, reducing availability for release

Question 30

What is the biological basis of reward and addiction?

Answer 30

Reward + addiction are linked to the dopaminergic pathways in the brain, particularly the mesolimbic dopamine system

Question 31

How is dopamine involved in addiction?

Answer 31

Drugs of abuse increase dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, reinforcing drug-seeking behaviour

Question 32

What is the primary neurotansmitter associated with Sz?

Answer 32

Dopamine --> overactivity in dopaminergic pathways contributes to Sz symptoms

Question 33

What neurotransmitter imbalance is implicated in depression?

Answer 33

Reduced levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine

Question 34

How are dopamine antagonists used in Sz treatment?

Answer 34

They block dopamine receptors, reducing overactivity linked to psychotic symptoms

Question 35

What are benzodiazepines used for clinically?

Answer 35

Treating anxiety, insomnia and muscle relaxation

Question 36

Why are barbiturates less commonly used now?

Answer 36

Due to high potential for dependence ad fatal respiratory depression

Question 37

What is the difference between ionotropic and metabotropic receptors?

Answer 37

Ionotropic receptors directly gate ion channels, while metabotropic receptors modulate intracellular reactions.

Question 38

Why is it important to understand drug mechanisms in neuropharmacology?

Answer 38

To relate drug actions to their therapeutic uses and side effects.

Question 39

What natural source produces atropine?

Answer 39

Atropine is derived from the deadly nightshade plant (belladonna).

Question 40

What is nicotine's mechanism of action?

Answer 40

It acts as an agonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.