NEUROPHARMACOLOGY

Question 1

What is pharmacodynamics

Answer 1

The study of the effects of drugs on the function of living systems

Question 2

What is Pharmacokinetics

Answer 2

The study of the effects of living systems on drugs

Question 3

What is a drug

Answer 3

A chemical substance of known structure which produces a biological effect

Question 4

What are the 3 drug targets

Answer 4

Receptors
Enzymes
Transporters

Question 5

What affects where and how a drug acts in the CNS

Answer 5

• Size of the drug molecule
• Physical and chemical properties of the drug molecules
• availability of transporter mechanisms within the blood brain barrier
• status of the organism

Question 6

List a few ways in which drugs can be administered

Answer 6

• oral/ rectal
• percutaneous
• intravenous
• intramuscular
• intrathecal
• inhalation

Question 7

How might a drug be eliminated from the body

Answer 7

Urine
Faeces
Milk/sweat
Expired air

Question 8

What is a partial agonist

Answer 8

An agonist which activates a receptor but only has partial efficacy compared to the full agonist

Question 9

What is an inverse agonist

Answer 9

A drug which has the complete opposing effect to the full agonist

Question 10

What are the 4 types of receptors

Answer 10

• Ligand-gated ion channels
• G-protein receptors
• Kinase-linked receptors
• Nuclear receptors

Question 11

Describe the basic properties of a neurotransmitter

Answer 11

• is synthesised within a neuron
• a stored within vesicles
• is released by an action potential
• binds to pre and post synaptic receptors
• will be deactivated

Question 12

What are the 4 main categories of neurotransmitter

Answer 12

• amino acids
• acetylcholine and nitric oxide
• monoamines
• neuropeptides

Question 13

Outline the general principles of neurotransmitters release

Answer 13

1. Neurotransmitter molecules packages into membranous vesicles which dock to the presynaptic terminal
2. Action potential depolarises the presynaptic membrane
3. Ca+ flood into presynaptic terminal
4. Intercellular Ca+ increase causes neurotransmitter vesicles too fuse with the presynaptic membrane
5. Transmitter released into the extra cellular space
6. Transmitter molecules bind to the postsynaptic receptors
7. Transmitter molecules diffuse away from receptors and are cleared away

Question 14

What receptors are involved with the somatic efferent system

Answer 14

Nicotinic acetylcholine

Question 15

What receptors are involved with the sympathetic system

Answer 15

Noradrenergic
Muscarinic acetylcholine
Nicotinic acetylcholine

Question 16

What receptors are involved with the parasympathetic system

Answer 16

Muscarinic acetylcholine

Question 17

Why cant acetylcholine be used as a drug

Answer 17

It is metabolised too quickly

Question 18

Describe the effect of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on the heart

Answer 18

• sympathetic = increase rate and force of contraction

- parasympathetic = decrease rate and force of contraction

Question 19

Describe the effect of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on blood vessels

Answer 19

• Sympathetic =. Mostly constriction

- Parasympathetic = no effect

Question 20

Describe the effect of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system on airway smooth muscle

Answer 20

Sympathetic= dilation 
Parasympathetic = constriction

Question 21

Describe the effect of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system on the GI tract

Answer 21

Sympathetic decreases motility

Parasympathetic = increases activity and stimulates secretion

Question 22

Describe the effect of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems on the pupil

Answer 22

Sympathetic= pupil dilation 
Parasympathetic = pupil constriction