Neurotransmitters and drugs

Question 1

Define neuropharmacology.

Answer 1

The study of neuronal change due to drug use.

Question 2

Define psychopharmacology.

Answer 2

The study of behavioural changes that result from drug use.

Question 3

What is GABA?

Answer 3

The main excitatory neurotransmitter.

Question 4

GABA can elicit fast and slow responses from neurons depending on which receptors are activated. Which receptors produce a) fast and b) slow responses?

Answer 4

a) AMPA

b) NMDA

Question 5

What 3 things is the NMDA receptor heavily involved in?

Answer 5

1. Wind-up
2. Memory
3. Cognition

Question 6

What happens if NMDA receptors are blocked?

Answer 6

It results in memory loss and cognition issues.

Question 7

NMDA receptors are only post-synaptic. True or false?

Answer 7

False - they are mostly post-synaptic but can also be pre-synaptic.

Question 8

NMDA receptors are only found in the brain. True or false?

Answer 8

False, they are widely distributed around the body.

Question 9

What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter?

Answer 9

Glutamate.

Question 10

All neurons produce many neurotransmitters simultaneously. They always produce both GABA and glutamate together. True or false?

Answer 10

False - neurons do produce many neurotransmitters simultaneously but never GABA and glutamate together.

Question 11

Neurons only respond to either GABA or glutamate. True or false?

Answer 11

False - all neurons respond to both.

Question 12

If a drug is an agonist, what does that mean?

Answer 12

It mimics a neurotransmitter, thus increasing the effects of that neurotransmitter.

Question 13

If a drug is an antagonist, what does that mean?

Answer 13

It blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter, thus reducing its effects.

Question 14

Ketamine is a loss potent derivative of PCP (phencyclidine). What is it used for in higher doses?

Answer 14

A tranquiliser in horses.

Question 15

Ketamine is used recreationally at lower doses. What effects does it produce?

Answer 15

Dissociative.

Question 16

Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist. What effect does it have on GABA?

Answer 16

It blocks NMDA receptors, thus reducing the effects of GABA.

Question 17

Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist. What physiological effects does this produce? Give 4 examples.

Answer 17

It reduces:

• Pain
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Slow rhythms

Question 18

Define a dissociative.

Answer 18

A class of hallucinogen that distort perceptions of sight and sound as well as providing a sense of detachment.

Question 19

What 2 factors do the effects of a drug depend on?

Answer 19

1. Its concentration

2. The sensitivity of the target neurons

Question 20

What is the predominant reason why drugs induce physiological effects?

Answer 20

They disrupt synaptic transmission.

Question 21

Give some examples of how drugs can affect synaptic transmission.

Answer 21

1. They can serve as NT precursors
2. They can prevent the storage of NTs
3. They can cause the release or block the re-uptake of NTs
4. They can block or stimulate receptors
5. They can inactivate key enzymes

Question 22

Drugs always have the same effect regardless of concentration. True or false?

Answer 22

False, drugs can have varying effects depending on their concentrations, e.g. alcohol.

Question 23

How does LSD act in the brain?

Answer 23

It is an agonist of serotonin receptors, thus increasing the effects of serotonin.

Question 24

What does MDMA do to serotonin?

Answer 24

Increases synaptic levels of serotonin.

Question 25

What was MDMA originally developed as?

Answer 25

An appetite inhibitor.