Lec. 3: Psycho-stimulants and Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
What are five effects of psychostimulants on behavior?
- Elevate mood/induce euphoria
- Increase alertness
- Improve task performance
- Reduce fatigue/increase energy
- Decrease appetite
What are three primary mechanisms of action of psychostimulants?
- All augment synaptic actions of dopamine
- All are behaviorally reinforcing
- All have significant side effects, toxicities, and abuse potential
T or F. Drug abuse is a reflection of culture, personal, social, psychological, and genetic factors.
True
What are the three broad classifications of drugs of abuse?
- CNS stimulants
- CNS depressants
- Other psychoactive drugs and hallucinations
Caffeine and Theophylline are both derivatives of what and fall under what classification of drugs of abuse?
They are both methylxanthine derivatives and they are CNS stimulants
Nicotine, such as smokable and chewable tobacco, is an example of what classification of drugs of abuse?
CNS stimulant
Name six examples of amphetamine-related drugs (CNS stimulants).
- Amphetamine
- Phentermine
- Methamphetamine
- Phenfluramine
- Methylphenidate
- Cocaine
Name four examples of CNS depressants.
- Opioids
- Marijuana
- Ethanol
- Barbiturates and BZDs
Name three examples of some other psychoactive drugs and hallucinogens.
- Lysergic acid diethyl amide (LSD)
- Mescaline
- Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust)
Caffeine blocks ? receptors and thus indirectly increases ? transmission. It also inhibits phosphodiesterases that results in increased levels of ?, which mobilizes intracellular?
- Adenosine
- Dopamine
- cAMP
- Ca+2
Caffeine has a positive/negative inotropic and chronotropic effect at high doses.
Positive
Nicotine rapidly distributes to the CNS and induces what enzyme?
Cytochrome P-450
What is nicotines effect on the CNS?
Activates cholinergic-nicotinic receptors which causes euphoria, arousal, improved memory and concentration, and appetite suppression.
T or F. Nicotine activates monoamine oxidase in the CNS.
False. Nicotine inhibits MAO.
What is nicotines effect on dopamine transmission in the CNS?
It increase dopamine transmission in the reward system of the brain (highly addictive).
Does nicotine cause vessels to dilate or constrict and what does this do to the blood pressure?
Vessels will constrict, which causes an increase in BP.
Ice, speed, and crank are all examples of what amphetamine?
Methamphetamine
What is the sympathomimetic action of amphetamines in the body and how do they elicit their action?
Amphetamines increase synaptic concentration of NE and dopamine by (1) blocking NE transporter and (2) increasing Ca+2 independent release of NE, dopamine, and serotonin.
Name the three most important clinical uses of amphetamines.
- Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
- Narcolepsy
- Weight reduction
Name two drugs that are popular in treating attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, and narcolepsy.
- Amphetamine
2. Methylphenidate
Does cocaine activate or depress the sympathetic nervous system?
Activates, which leads to increased alertness, pupillary dilation, hypertension, and tachycardia.
Does cocaine stimulate or act as a blockade against dopamine transporters?
Acts as a blockade of dopamine transporters –> potent dopamine agonist
Describe cocaines effect on sex drive and performance.
Increases desire, but give problematic performance
Micro-strokes (cerebrovascular injury) is associated with long term use of what drug?
Cocaine
Cocaine directly activates what reward system?
The endogenous reward system
Withdrawal (crash) from cocaine is associated with depletion of what two neurotransmitters?
NE and dopamine
What drug is used to treat opioid overdose?
Naloxone
What drug is used in maintenance therapy against opioid abuse?
Methadone
Name the three most commonly abused opioids by the general population.
- Heroin
- Oxycodone
- Morphine
What opioid is associated with a feeling of increased energy (soapboxing) alternated by relaxation and tranquility (coasting)?
Heroin
Name this drug: 9-THC perturbs neuronal membranes, binds and activates cannabinoid receptor (the endogenous ligand: anandomide), and initially causes euphoria, uncontrollable laughter, and visual hallucinations and later tranquility and impaired memory?
Marijuana
What does THC stand for and what drug is it associated with?
- Tetrahydrocannabinal
2. Marijuana
Match the numbers with the right letters for the following hallucinogenic drugs of abuse: A. Serotonin-like B. Anticholinergic C. Glutaminergic NMDA antagonist D. Catecholamine-like
- MDMA; mescaline
- PCP; ketamine
- Scopolamine
- LSD; Psilocybin
A - 4
B - 3
C - 2
D - 1
What “drugs of abuse” are associated with psychedelic changes of distortion of sensual perception and acute change due to overdose (bad trip), panic attacks, and visual disturbances (flashbacks)?
Hallucinogenic drugs of abuse
Opioids cause miosis/mydriasis and amphetamines cause miosis/mydriasis.
- Miosis
2. Mydriasis
Barbiturates and BZDs both lead to hypertension/hypotension.
Hypotension
Treatment with Lorazepam (for agitation) can be used in the emergency treatment of intoxication of what five drugs?
- Amphetamines
- Cocaine
- Hallucinogens
- Marijuana
- Phencyclidine
What is the main non-pharmacological treatment to be given during emergency treatment of drug intoxication?
Support vital functions
What is the only drug type that show no cardiovascular manifestations when experiencing drug intoxication?
Opioids
During drug withdrawal, what drugs will experience musculoskeletal manifestations?
Alcohol - tremors
Barbiturates, BZDs, and opioids
T or F. Some drugs, like opioids, depress the immune system.
True
Modification of what drug can result in the production of many other drugs?
Phenylethylamine
What three amphetamines can be used for weight reduction?
- Phentermine
- Fenfluramine
- Diethylpropion
What is a cardinal sign of cocaine use?
Pupillary dilation
There is no pharmacological treatment for what drug?
Cocaine
Withdrawal symptoms of ? are opposite the side effects.
Cocaine
What pharmacological treatment is given for alcohol and barbiturates?
None
