Neuropharmacology

Question 1

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 1

Tremor, rigidity, slow movement, affected gait, slurred speech

Question 2

What is the cause of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 2

Due to the loss of substantia nigra cells in the brain which produce dopamine. The deficit of dopamine in the brain leads to the development of the symptoms

Question 3

What is the treatment of Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 3

Provide L-dopa combined with an inhibitor of the enzyme L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (cannot access the brain) so that L-dopa is converted into dopamine only in the brain.
Or, stimulate dopamine receptors directly with dopamine receptor agonists

Question 4

What are the potential side-effects of Parkinson’s and Schizophrenia treatment?

Answer 4

Rise in prolactin (breast enlargement, amenorrhoea), weight gain, allergic and toxic reactions, postural hypotension

Question 5

What are the symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Answer 5

Hallucinations, paranoia, social withdrawal

Question 6

What is the cause of Schizophrenia?

Answer 6

Hyperactivity in the ventral striatum leading to an increased release of dopamine

Question 7

What is the treatment of Schizophrenia?

Answer 7

Dopamine receptor antagonists (antipsychotics or neuroleptics)

Question 8

What are the symptoms of depression?

Answer 8

Low mood, fatigue, insomnia

Question 9

What is the cause of depression?

Answer 9

There is dysfunction in the activity of the monamine systems of the brain, leading to insufficient levels of serotonin and noradrenaline

Question 10

What is the treatment of depression?

Answer 10

Tricyclic antidepressants – also bind to many other receptors (other than just inhibiting the reuptake of monoamines e.g. serotonin and noradrenaline)

Question 11

What are the potential side-effects of depression treatment?

Answer 11

Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, fatigue, weight gain, dizziness

Question 12

What are the symptoms of addiction?

Answer 12

Reliance on substances to function

Question 13

What are the causes of addiction?

Answer 13

Social factors largely

Question 14

What is the treatment for addiction?

Answer 14

Drug substitute e.g. methadone for heroine substitution, vaccine e.g. antibodies against cocaine, decrease some of toxicity associated with us e.g. nicotine replacement therapy (patches) or aversion therapy e.g. inducing sickness upon alcohol consumption or blocking the metabolism of alcohol with disulfiram