Neuroscience

Question 1

Neuron Messaging.

Answer 1

Neurons receive messages via electrical impulses influenced by chemicals and neurotransmitters.

Question 2

Relation of thought to neuroscience. Memory formation.

Answer 2

Thought processes and life experiences effect brain circuits

The learning and memory formation

Question 3

What are the 3 phases of neurotransmission?

Answer 3

• The release of the neurotransmitter from the pre-synaptic axon
• Interaction of the transmitter with the post synaptic receptors
• Inactivation of the neurotransmitter

Question 4

Neurotransmitter inactivation occurs when…

Answer 4

• Broken down by enzymes in the synaptic cleft.

- Removed from the synaptic cleft by retake pumps.

Question 5

Dopamine

Answer 5

• Controls complex movements, motivations, cognition.
• Regulates emotional and behavioural responses.
• Excessive DA -> Schizophrenia.

Question 6

Serotonin

Answer 6

• Has a role in arousal, mood, and behaviour.
• Controls food intake, temperature regulation, pain control, sexual behaviour, regulation of emotions.
• Involved with BP, gut control and N & V.
• Decreased 5-th -> Depression.

Question 7

Noradrenaline

Answer 7

• Is involved in arousal, mood, sleep, wakefulness, mood and attention, learning and memory.
• Controls - BP, myocardial contractility, air way reactivity and a verity of metabolic functions.

Question 8

Histamine

Answer 8

• Plays a role in alertness, memory function, hormonal and gastric secretion, cardiac stimulation, food intake.
• Mast cell H ->allergy, inflammatory response.

Question 9

Acetylcholine

Answer 9

• Plays a role in arousal, sleep, wakefulness cycle, signals muscles to be active, memory and learning.
• Muscle contraction, bradycardia, exocrine secration

Question 10

Gama Amionbutyric Acid

Answer 10

• Inhibits impulse conduction
• Too little and we become excited.
• Too much and we become drowsy.
• Influences consciousness, motor control, memory, learning

Question 11

Glutamate

Answer 11

• An excitatory H triggering impulse conduction and is closely associated with GABA ( balance
• Influences learning and memory.

Question 12

Neuro-Pharmacology

Answer 12

Drug induced changes in the brains cell function – neurotransmitter/neuromodulator systems.

Question 13

Psycho-Pharmacology

Answer 13

Drug induced effects on mood, thinking and behaviour.

Question 14

Neuro-Psycho-Pharmacology

Answer 14

Identifies chemical substances that act on the brain to alter behaviour that is disturbed due to injury, disease, environmental factors.

Question 15

What is a psychotropic drug?

Answer 15

Psychotropic drugs modify behaviour and alleviate symptoms of mental disorders in mood, sensation and thinking. Psychotropic drugs originate from natural sources or chemical synthesis.

Question 16

What is psychopharmacology?

Answer 16

Psychopharmacology focuses on the psychotropic and chemical interactions on the nervous system in the brain.

Question 17

Drug Absorption

Answer 17

The drug moves into the blood stream.

Question 18

What influences drug absorption?

Answer 18

• GI motility;
• rate of gastric emptying,
• presence of food or other chemicals,
• blood flow molecule size & formulation,
• pharmaceutical preparations,
• drug solubility,
• pH,
• charged uncharged,
• presence of cellular transport systems

Question 19

Where does drug absorption mostly take place?

Answer 19

In the small intestine.

Question 20

What is Distribution?

Answer 20

the drug moves from the blood to the CNS. Barriers prevent the drug from entering CNS
Plasma Protein binding - improves transportation; protein binding is a % of total drug in the bloodstream.
If two drugs bind strongly to plasma proteins they may compete possibly → stronger effect →toxicity.

Question 21

What is Metabolism?

Answer 21

In the liver drugs become water soluble in urine ready for elimination. Occurs secondary to enzyme action or conjugation (joining an inert substance to the drug molecule). Cytochrome P450 enzymes - drugs may alter this enzyme. Hepatic First Pass Effects (the degree of drug loss secondary to metabolism in the liver).
Liver Impairment can -> increased drug effects (caution older adult).

Question 22

What is Excretion?

Answer 22

Via the kidneys and the bile secreted in to the GIT.
- Renal Impairment – can ↓ the rate of excretion → stronger drug effects/or prolonged action ( caution older adult). The clearance and excretion of drugs → creatinine (waste product). Creatinine clearance levels determine the need to alter the drug dose rate in renal impairment.

Question 23

7 causes of mental illness.

Answer 23

• Genetics and heredity
• Psycho-immunology - Explores if compromised immune system can contribute to psychosis.
• Infections. - e.g. UTI.
• Hormonal Changes.
• Trauma - PTSD
• Environment - relationships, employment, ect…
• Alcohol and Drugs. .

Question 24

What are the main principals of psychotherapy?

Answer 24

• Reason for administration
• Documentation.
• Lowest possible dose
• Education
• Hospital polices.