Lecture 13+ Flashcards
Psychosis
refers to mental disorders in which there is a loss of contact with reality, affecting a persons ability to think, feel, and act
Core clusters of schizophrenia
- positive symptoms: mental phenomena that are absent in healthy individuals (hallucinations and delusions)
- negative symptoms: loss or impairment of normal psychological function (ex: loss of motivation and social withdrawal)
Cognitive symptoms of Schizophrenia
poor concentration, disorganized thinking, poor memory, etc.
Dopamine hypothesis
- symptoms of schiz due to hyperactivity of dopamine system
- inferential evidence: drugs that increase synaptic dopamine (amphetamine, cocaine, cannabis) can cause delusions and hallucinations at high doses; drugs that block dopamine receptors are effective antipsychotics (first gen antipsychotics)
largest population of dopamine neurons are located in the …
midbrain (ventral segmental area and substantial nigra)
Mesocortical/mesolimbic system
dopamine neurons located in the ventral tegmental area project to striatum and the PFC
Dopamine receptors
GPCR; two classes:
- D1: stimulate adenylate cyclase via Gs… (although target for drugs, they are unlikely to contribute to the therapeutic action of many antipsychotics)
- D2: Gi (inhibit adenyl cyclase); blocking D2 directly related to clinical antipsychotic potency
Serotonin Hypothesis
symptoms of schizophrenia due to increased serotonin signalling
5HT-2A antagonists
block glutamate release in cortex = reduces hallucinations and other positive symptoms
First generation antipsychotics
- typical
- targets both D1 and D2 (D2 antagonism = efficacy!)
- haloperidol, chlorpromazine
Second generation antipsychotics
- atypical
- antagonists at both 5HT and D2 receptors
- bind looser (lower affinity) to dopamine receptors than first gen = produce less dopamine related side effects
- clozapine, risperidone
This has a unique affinity for D4 receptors ad causes a serious side effect called agranulocytosis (WBC loss)
Clozapine ; not considered a first line therapy bc of the rare side effects
Alcohol distribution
- throughout tissues
- leaner ppl = there’s more water to dissolve into = lower BAC
- larger people = larger body vol = lower BAC
- alcohol seems to favour water than adipose tissue (doesn’t retain alcohol well)
T or F. Females have a greater BAC
T, they tend to be smaller (small size allows passage into brain) and less lean
Acute effects of ethanol consumption
- inhibited decision making
- unstable mood/heightened emotions
- decreased anxiety
- increased aggression
- increased addiction
- less REM sleep
- impaired memory
- impaired balance and coordination, vision impeded and taste and smell too
- reduced perception of pain
- dilated blood vessels of skin
- reduced blood clotting
- increased HDL levels
Acute effects of ethanol
- Biphasic*
- BAC rises = stimulant
- BAC declines = depressant
- metabolism causes phases
- increased sociability, decreased anxiety
Why does alcohol affect perception?
interacts with brain receptors!
- ethanol modulates glutamate and GABA receptor activity
- tilts balance of neuronal activation towards hyper-polarization => inhibition
Heteropentameric receptors of GABA receptors
most have 2 alpha and 2 beta and one other
- conduct negative chloride current into neurons
Heterotetrameric receptors of NMDA receptors
- all contain 2 NRI subnuits and either 2 NR2 or 2 NR3 subunits
- conduct positive currents into neurons; depolarizing
Physiological effects of EtOH
- vasodilation (warm skin but low core temp = autonomic brainstem nuclei)
- loss of stomach mucosal lining = ulcers
- spins (endolymph and cupula)
Metabolic tolerance of alcohol
due to liver adaptation
- up-regulation of enzymes, especially in heavy drinkers
Congener
minor chemical constituent, especially one that gives a distinctive character to a wine or liquor or is responsible for some of its physiological effects
Beer belly
- ethanol is calorie-dense so problem if also malnutrition
- 50% of caloric intake; complex carbs, especially beer!!!
- metabolic changes in E usage -> brain metabolizes acetate not glucose
Acetate
calorie-dense product of ehtanol; can enter CAC and generate energy (not nutritional)