Mid Term

Question 1

Who first described the pain pathway?

Answer 1

Rene Descartes in Treatise of Man (1664)

Descartes’ model included the idea of ‘animal spirits’ flowing from the brain to respond to pain.

Question 2

What is the main active analgesic found in opium?

Answer 2

Morphine

Morphine is widely recognized for its effectiveness in pain relief.

Question 3

What are the three main components of pharmacology in the context of pain treatment at the end of the 1800s?

Answer 3

• Chemistry
• Physiology
• Pathology

These components help understand pain and its treatment.

Question 4

What discovery did Solomon Snyder make in 1972?

Answer 4

The opioid receptor

This receptor specifically binds to morphine and similar opioids.

Question 5

How do opioids affect the pain pathway?

Answer 5

They bind to opioid receptors, inhibiting nerve fiber firing

This action reduces the perception of pain.

Question 6

What are the two mechanisms by which the pain pathway can evolve to limit suffering?

Answer 6

• Rubbing the injury activates sensory receptors
• The descending pain-inhibitory pathway releases endogenous opioids

These mechanisms help in modulating pain perception.

Question 7

What are endogenous opioids?

Answer 7

Natural painkillers produced by the body, such as enkephalins and endorphins

They inhibit pain signals in the spinal cord.

Question 8

What significant discovery did Kosterlitz and Hughes make in the 1970s?

Answer 8

They identified and purified the structure of two enkephalins

This was a major advancement in understanding natural pain relief.

Question 9

What does the descending pain-inhibitory pathway do?

Answer 9

Inhibits pain transmission in the spinal cord

It releases enkephalins that bind to opioid receptors.

Question 10

What is the role of the thalamus in the pain pathway?

Answer 10

It relays pain messages to different parts of the brain

The thalamus is critical for processing pain signals.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The structure of the active analgesic in opium is _______.

Answer 11

Morphine

Question 12

True or False: Opioids are not addictive.

Answer 12

False

Opioids are known to be highly addictive.

Question 13

List four methods of pain relief other than opioids.

Answer 13

• Local anaesthetics
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
• Acupuncture

These methods provide alternative ways to manage pain.

Question 14

What is the function of local anaesthetics?

Answer 14

Prevent activation of pain receptors

They block nerve signals in the area of application.

Question 15

What is the Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics?

Answer 15

A collaborative project to translate pharmacology research into therapeutics

It honors Kosterlitz’s contributions to medical science.

Question 16

Who were Kosterlitz and Hughes recognized by for their work in pharmacology?

Answer 16

They won the Lasker Award

Their research significantly advanced the field of medical science.

Question 17

What is the purpose of TENS?

Answer 17

To apply electrical impulses that activate inhibitory sensory fibres

This helps in reducing pain signals.

Question 18

What effect does general anaesthetic have?

Answer 18

Induces loss of consciousness

This prevents perception and memory of pain.

Question 19

What is the significance of Kosterlitz’s legacy at the University?

Answer 19

Established the Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics and annual Kosterlitz lecture

These initiatives promote ongoing research and education in pharmacology.