Neurones and drugs Flashcards
What is the function of the glia?
Keep the brain alive with nutrients, give physical support and regulate extracellular fluid
What are the 3 parts of a neurone and their functions?
- Debdrites - input
- Cell body (soma) contains nucleus
- Axon - output
How is a synaptic action ended? (e.g using acetylcholine)
Transmitter broken down by acetylcholinesterase into acetate and choline, travelling back across the synaptic cleft to the presynaptic membrane
Compare peptide vs non-peptide neurotransmitters according to:
a) length of effect
b) location of synthesis
c) replenishing speed
a) long/short
b) endoplasmic reticulum of soma/nerve terminal
c) slow (not recycled)/fast
How can a drug act as an antagonist in the pre-synaptic membrane?
- Decrease production of transmitter
- Block Ca2+ influx
- Stop vesicle filling with transmitter
- Stop vesicle emptying into the celft
How can a drug act as an antagonist in the post synaptic membrane?
- Blocking receptors
- Stop opening of ion channels
How can a drug act as an agonist?
- Increasing production of transmitter
- Enhancing Ca2+ influx
- Decrease reuptake process
- Activate receptor
- Decrease enzymatic breakdown
How can Alzheimer’s disease be treated?
By reducing the breakdown of Ach to slow its progress
What is Parkinson’s disease associated with?
Loss of neurones in the substantia nigra and the caudate nucleus (use dopamine)
Which drugs can be used to treat a) Parkinsons disease b) ADHD
a) L-Dopa
b) Methyphenidate
Name 3 drug treatments for depression and how they work
- MAO inhibitors prevent the inactivation of leaked monoamines causing an excess in the cleft
- Tricyclic antidepressants block the reuptake of neurotransmitters
- SSRIs block reuptake in the post synaptic membrane
What is the most common exitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
glutamate
