Module 4: Biological Basis for Understanding Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Psychiatric illness is related to…
an alteration in neurotransmitters
A PET scan of a patient with schizophrenia will show…
reduced brain activity in frontal lobes
What is neurotransmission?
the ability of neurons to initiate signals and conduct an electrical impulse from one end of the cell to the other
Thought disorders such as schizophrenia are associated with the excess transmission of the neurotransmitter…
dopamine
dopamine decrease & increase
decrease: Parkinson’s disease, depression
increase: schizophrenia, mania
norepinephrine decrease & increase
decrease: depression
increase: anxiety states
serotonin decrease & increase
decrease: depression
increase: anxiety states
High levels of (blank) are associated with anxiety and depression.
histamine
OTC antihistamines reduce…
mild anxiety
illicit drugs associated with serotonin
cocaine, LSD, ecstasy
A decrease in GABA causes…
anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, mania, Huntington chorea
An increase in GABA reduces…
symptoms of anxiety, schizophrenia, mania
major mediator of excitatory signals in the CNS
glutamate
involved in most aspects of normal brain function including cognition, memory, and learning
glutamate
Ketamine and alcohol decrease…
glutamate
