Neuropharmacology; The Drugs

Question 1

Opium contains morphine, an effective analgesic

• Morphine and heroin are related, and both are highly addictive
• bind to opioid receptors in the brain, especially in the periaqueductal gray (orphan receptor)

Answer 1

opiates

Question 2

a synthetic opiate that is 30-40 times stronger than heroin

Answer 2

fentanyl

Question 3

enkephalins, endorphins and dynorphins – are peptides produced in the brain and act as painkillers

Answer 3

Endogenous Opioids

Question 4

can rapidly reverse the effects of opiates and save people from overdose (e.g., naloxone, narcan)

Answer 4

Drugs that block opioid receptors

Question 5

is a long-acting agonist, so it reduces craving and withdrawal symptoms and blunts or blocks the effects of opiates

Answer 5

Methadone

Question 6

is derived from the plant cannabis sativa

• Its two main active ingredients are THC and cannabidiol (CBD)

Answer 6

Cannabis or Cannabinoids

Question 7

• Effects vary – including relaxation and mood alteration, but also hallucination and paranoia
• Persistent heavy use has been linked to respiratory issues, neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive decline, and demyelination

Answer 7

Effects of cannabis

Question 8

are concentrated in the substantia nigra, the hippocampus, the cerebellar cortex and the cerebral cortex

Answer 8

Cannabinoids Receptors

Question 9

are the THC-like endogenous ligands produced in the brain, such as anandamide

Answer 9

Endocannabinoids

Question 10

increase nervous system activity by increasing excitatory input or decreasing inhibitory activity

Answer 10

Stimulants

Question 11

was used in foods and as an anesthetic, but is highly addictive and has serious side effects

• It acts by blocking reuptake of dopamine transmitters so that they accumulate in synapses throughout the brain, boosting their effects (may also increase release)

Answer 11

Cocaine

Question 12

Synthetic stimulants have a two-step mode of action on monoamines

• causes a larger-than-normal release of transmitter at axon terminals
• also interferes with the breakdown of the transmitter
• Prolonged use leads to symptoms that resemble those of schizophrenia or brain damage

Answer 12

Amphetamine

Question 13

• Acts as a Stimulant
• Increases heart rate, blood pressure, digestive action, and alertness
• Acts as an agonist on nicotinic ACh receptors in the cortex enhancing some cognitive functions, and the ventral tegmental area activating the reward pathway

Answer 13

Nicotine, from Tobacco

Question 14

• an initial stimulant phase, followed by a depressant (inhibited neural activity) phase
• acts on GABA receptors and dopamine-mediated reward systems

Answer 14

Alcohol’s Effects are Biphasic

Question 15

results when pregnant women abuse alcohol with permanent damage to the fetus

Answer 15

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Question 16

may cause brain damage and reduces the rate of neurogenesis (which new neurons are formed in the brain)

Answer 16

binge drinking

Question 17

alter sensory perception and produce unusual experiences through diverse neural actions

Answer 17

Hallucinogens

Question 18

strongly activates serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the visual cortex:

• produces mood changes and feelings of creativity, and thus may help treat some psychiatric disorders
• Mescaline and psilocybin are similar; all three produce strong visual effects

Answer 18

LSD (acid)

Question 19

is a hallucinogenic amphetamine derivative – it stimulates visual cortical serotonin receptors but also changes levels of dopamine and prolactin

Answer 19

MDMA (ecstasy)

Question 20

use may cause mood and cognitive performance problems and produces long-lasting change in brain activation patterns

Answer 20

Long-term Ecstasy

Question 21

is a hallucinogen with widespread effects in the brain, especially blockage of NMDA receptors, and stimulates opioid and ACh receptors

• Recent experiments have revealed a potent antidepressant effect at lower doses, even in cases that resist other types of treatments

Answer 21

Ketamine