Lecture 6 (neuropharmacology)

Question 1

How does a tablet travel through the body and to its target?

Answer 1

The tablet will decay to particles. Then it will be absorbed through the mucosa. Then the first pass metabolism in the liver and the circulation will distribute it through the body. Some of it will come to the receptor where it has to work, and the rest will be eliminated by the body.

Question 2

The 8 presynaptic ways to modulate synaptic transmission

Answer 2

You can either put effects on transmitter production, release or clearance.
Inhibition on transmitter synthesis
 Blockade of axonal transport
 Interference with the storage of transmitters
 Prevention of synaptic transmission
 Alteration of synaptic transmitter release
 Alteration of transmitter release through modulation of presynaptic activity
 Inactivation of transmitter reuptake
 Blockade of transmitter degradation

Question 3

The 4 postsynaptic ways to modulate synaptic transmission

Answer 3

 Blockade of receptors
 Activation of receptors
 Regulation of the number of postsynaptic receptors
 Modulation of intracellular signals

Question 4

How does antipsychotics work?

Answer 4

In general, antipsychotics work by modulation of the synapses. It either inhibit increased activity or increased inhibited activity.

Question 5

How was SSRI antidepressants thought to work?

Answer 5

SSRI are thought to inhibit the resumption of serotonin. This will give an increased concentration of serotonin in the synapse which will lead to increase serotonin in the neurons.

Question 6

Metabolic tolerance?

Answer 6

a reference to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. Essentially this is how the body processes the intake, use, and excretion of drugs. When the drug is used for a long period of time, the tolerance will come and make the drugs less effective.

Question 7

Functional tolerance?

Answer 7

A decreased response in the effective place. Less receptors, the receptor is less sensitive. Decreased binding to the receptor.

Question 8

Dependence?

Answer 8

Normal behavior without the drug isn’t possible. The body has developed a compensatory adaption to the drug always being there.

Question 9

Withdrawal?

Answer 9

The symptoms are the opposite of the drugs effect.

Question 10

How are pharmacology interventions hypothesized to work on the brain?

Answer 10

Works by modulating the activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and noradrenalin.