Neuro Theories & Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Neurotransmitters
chemical substances to facilitate neurotransmission
Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Glutamate
Dopamine
complex movement
motivation
cognition
regulation of emotional response
Norepinephrine
attention, learning, memory
sleep, wakefulness
mood regulation
Epinephrine
fight or flight response
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
Serotonin
GABA
Serotonin
food intake, sleep, wakefulness, temperature, pain control, sexual behaviors, mood
GABA
modulation of other neurotransmitters
Excitatory or Inhibitory
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
sleep and wakefulness cycle-signals muscles to become alert
Histamine
neuromodulator
Neurobiologic Causes
Genetics and Heredity
Psychoimmunology
Infections
Genetics and Heredity
Play a role, but is NOT solely genetic
Psychoimmunology
compromised immunity system possible contributes, especially in “at risk” populations
Infections
particularly viruses during fetal development
Psychotropic Drugs
Antipsychotic Antidepressants Mood stabilizers Anxiolytics Stimulants
Efficacy
the maximal therapeutic effect a drug can achieve
Potency
the amount of the drug needed to achieve the maximum effect
Off-Label Use
a drug will prove effective for a disease that differs from the one involved in original testing and FDA approval
Black Box Warning
label the FDA will issue if a drug is found to have serious or life threatening side effects, even of the side effects are rare
How is a medication selected?
Based on the effect on the client’s target symptoms
Should older adults start out with a higher dosage or a lower dosage?
lower
Should psychotropic drugs be stopped abruptly or slowly tapered off?
Tapering rather than abruptly to avoid rebound or withdrawal
Rebound
temporary return of symptoms
Withdrawal
new symptoms resulting from discontinuation of the drug