Pain Day Flashcards
What opioid receptor is most important for pain relief?
mu receptor
What is the mechanism of endorphins that bind opioid receptors - what neurotransmitters do they affect?
inhibit GABA and thus disinhibit dopamine
-inhibition of substance P and tachykinin
Where are opioid receptors located in the brain and central nervous system?
descending pain circuit amygdala rostral ventral medulla PAG mesencephalic reticular formation
Where are the cell bodies of opioid receptors located?
median eminence of hypothalamus
What are two of the general methods of antiepileptic drugs?
work to lower neurons ability to fire
- hyperpolarization
- disallowing depolarization
Besides epilepsy, what other diseases are antiepileptics used to treat?
diseases with excessive neuronal firing
- bipolar
- anxiety
- substance withdrawal
- migraines
- fibromyalgia
- diabetes
What are the three different pain receptors?
alpha beta - fast, nonoxious stimuli - light pressure, vibration
alpha delta -noxious - heavy pressure, squeeze, sharp
-reflex pain
C -heat and chemical -slow burning pain
What are the “three bus stops” for inflammatory pain?
- cortex - think through the pain
- thalamus/limbic - cold hard calculations, semiconscious
- spinal reflex
What are the three steps that an inflammatory pain becomes neuropathic?
- ca2+ influx
- then Na+ influx
- GLU eflux
What are the various methods by which AEDs work at the molecular level? Name some drugs that do these
- prevent ca2+ influx - gabapentin
- Prevent Na+ influx - carbamazepine, lamotrigine
- Glu blocker - lamotrigine
Explain how an antidepressant that increases NE is helpful in treating pain?
strengthens the descending pathway
-blocks pain
strengthens the ascending pathway
-relieves mood and anxiety issues
Why are TCAs especially useful in relieving pain?
not only increase NE and serotonin like SSRIs do, but also block Na+ channels as well
What is the best reliever of chronic pain?
exercise and staying fit
