Peripheral Neuro-Pharmacology Flashcards
What is the effect of anticholinesterases on synaptic action?
It potentiates nerve stimulation by inhibiting cholinesterases, impairing the hydrolysis of ACh and thus increases the twitch to both nerve stimulation and exogenous ACh
What is the relationship between Calcium and end plate potential?
The end plate potential size depends on calcium concentration (and subsequently the amount of ACh released)
What is the effect of curare on end plate potential?
The end plate potential is decreased (due to decreased ACh release)
What are MEPPs?
Miniature end plate potentials that occur due to spontanous release of ACh
What is the effect of anti-cholinesterases on MEPPs? What about curare?
Anticholinesterase - increases amplitude
Curare - decreases amplitude
What are the three SNARE proteins involved in neurotransmitter release?
Syntaxin, synaptobrevin/VAMP, and SNAP-25
Which SNARE protein is cleaved by type A botulinum toxin?
SNAP-25
What is the structure of the SNARE apparatus for neurotransmitter release?
Syntaxin is associated with the nerve terminal membrane
Synaptobrevin is associated with the vesicle
SNAP-25 is associated with the nerve terminal membrane (loosely)
Synaptotagmin is intertwined with the SNAREs as a calcium sensor that triggers vesicle fusion
What is the process of triggering secretion of ACh from the nerve terminal?
ACh synthesized and stored in synaptic vesicles of nerve terminal –> Nerve action potential invades the nerve terminal –> Specific Ca2+ channels (linked to SNAREs) are opened and Ca2+ enters cell down electrochemical gradient –> Ca2+ binds to synaptotagmin and triggers vesicle/SNARE fusion –> ACh is secreted
What is the immediate response of a stimulated muscle cell in response to ACh release in the synaptic cleft?
ACh reacts with nicotinic receptor, which opens ion channels that allow flow of positively charged ions –> Na+ flows through because they are the furthest from equilibrium at rest
What terminates the action of ACh at the post-junctional membrane?
It is terminated by acetylcholinesterase
What is the function of hemicholinium-3?
It competitively inhibits the uptake of choline via the choline transporter –> number of molecules of ACh per vesicle is smaller
What causes small sized MEPPs in myasthenia gravis?
A postsynaptic deficit that reduces the number of ACh receptors, reducing sensitivity to ACh
What is the function of tetrodotoxin?
It blocks the electrophysiological input to the nerve ending (via blocking Na+ conductance) and the electrophysiological output on the other side of the synapse.
What is the effect of Mg2+ on the neuromuscular junction?
It reduces neurally-evoked ACh release by competing with Ca2+ at the channels
What is the cause of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)?
It is caused by a reduced number of P/Q type Ca2+ channels in the nerve ending, reflected as a reduced number of ACh vesicles released into the synapse
What is the mechanism of black widow spider venom?
The active ingredient causes a huge amount of ACh vesicular release due to a rise in cytoplasmic calcium concentration from a rise in the venom
What are possible clinical uses of botulinum toxin type A?
Blepharospasm/ocular disorders, hemifacial spasms, laryngeal problems, peripheral spaticity
What changes in EPP and MEPP amplitudes are associated with a postjunctional deficit?
Both are decreased (reduced responsiveness to ACh)
What changes in EPP and MEPP amplitudes are associated with a prejunctional deficit?
The EPP amplitudes are decreased without a change in MEPP amplitudes (the ratio of average EPP amplitude to MEPP amplitude decreases) –> decrease in evoked ACh release
Which SNARE is associated with the neurotransmitter vesicle?
Synaptobrevin
What SNARE is cleaved by botulinum toxin type B?
Synaptobrevin
What is the treatment for botulism?
Heptavalent anti-toxin (to treat the seven different serotypes)
What is the upstroke of muscle action potential?
Opening of voltage-gated sodium channels after the EPP
What is the cause of the falling phase of the muscle action potential?
Sodium channel inactivation at first, followed by a delayed rise in potassium conductance (through a K+ channel)
What are the two requirements for depolarization and membrane excitation?
Driving force (voltage difference) and conductance increase (channel opening) for a specific ion
Which types of blocking drugs have effects that are surmountable by increasing the ACh concentration?
Non-depolarizing blocking drugs (competitive inhibitors)
What class of drug is succinylcholine?
Depolarizing blocking drugs
What occurs during phase I of the response to depolarizing blocking drugs?
The depolarizing drug prevents ACh released synaptically from interaction with post-junctional receptors –> ALSO there is no driving force for current flow because the drug pushes receptors towards equilibrium potential
What occurs during phase II of the response to depolarizing blocking drugs?
Nicotinic receptors are desensitized and cannot be activated by any agonist –> muscle cell repolarizes to normal resting level but the nicotinic receptors are not conducting sodium ions
What is the effect of direct muscle stimulation during phase I of the response to a depolarizing blocking drug? Phase II?
Phase I –> even direct stimulation cannot activate the muscle
Phase II –> direct stimulation can activate the muscle (muscle is repolarized, so volt-gated sodium channels can be stimulated again)
What suffix is associated with clinically-used non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers?
…curonium
pancuronium, vecuronium, and rocuronium
What suffix is associated with cholinesterase inhibitors? What are they used for?
…stigmines
Used to treat MG, diagnose MG, and reverse non-depolarizing block at the end of surgery
What is the function of sugammadex?
A drug that encapsulates the …curoniums and rapidly terminates non-depolarizing block
What is synergy between two drugs?
An effect that occurs when two drugs that are both capable of producing the same effect BUT they both act at different sites
two drugs that act at the same site can not be synergists
What is the effect of tubocurarine on ACh function?
It is a competitior of ACh (surmountable inhibition)
What is the pattern of potential changes after treatment with a depolarizing blocking drug?
It initially causes rapid firing action potentials and then settles down to the level of an MEPP throughout phase I. Eventually the potential repolarizes and drops to baseline (phase II).
What is the mechanism of phase I (depolarization block)?
Persistent depolarization leads to inactivation of electrically activated sodium channels. It ALSO 1) blocks access of ACh on receptors and 2) eliminates the driving force necessary for current flow of ACh
What is the mechanism of phase II block (desensitization block)?
Continued presence of the drug leads to desensitization of the nicotinic receptor, which leads to repolarization to normal levels. The desensitized receptors are still incapable of responding to ACh release.
What isthe duration of Pancuronium? What are the advantages of pancuronium over tubocurarine? Side effects?
Long duration (1 hr)
More potent, does not release histamine, does not cause ganglionic blockade
Blocks vagal tone causing tachycardia
What is the duration of vecuronium? What are the advantages of it?
Intermediate duration
No tachycardia or histamine release, no cardiovascular effects, eliminated by the liver (good for people with kindey failure)
What is the duration/onset of rocuronium? What is it usually used for?
Rapid onset, intermediate duration
Used for intubation and surgical procedures
What are the main therapeutic uses of succinylcholine?
Used during intubation for rapid and temporary neuromuscular block
What are the side effects of succinylcholine?
Bradycardia, malignant hyperthermia
What is malignant hyperthermia?
An inherited myopathy where certain drugs can cause huge amounts of calcium release from the SR, which causes massive muscle contraction and body temperature elevation
Which blocking drugs have the most rapid onset?
Succinylcholine and rocuronium
Which blocking drugs are often used during the duration of surgery?
Rocuronium or vecuronium
What drugs are used to reverse non-depolarizing block?
Anticholinesterases or sugammadex
What is neuromuscular depression? What is the origin/casue of it (generally)?
Neuromuscular depression is a decrease in end-plate potential amplitude with repetitive motor nerve activation.
Origin: pre-synaptic
Cause: decreased release of acetylcholine
What is the chemical cause of endogenous neuromuscular depression? What is the mechanism?
Endogenous adenosine (derived from ATP and released from NMJ with ACh) –> reduces calcium currents in nerve terminal
Also depletion of vesiular stores of ACh contributes to depression at high nerve frequency stimulation
What is the clinical presentation of neuromuscular depression/depression of EPPs?
Not observed clinically - multiple back up mechanisms prevent it from manifesting as a decline in muscle twitch tension
What is the effect of a non-depolarizing blocking drug on muscle twitch and neuromuscular depression?
It causes neuromuscular depression to be observed clinically due to the reduction in the “safety factor” that normally acts as a back up
What would the twitch tests results look like for a patient treated with a non-depolarizing blocker (ex. rocuronium)?
Initial depression in the first train of four twitches, depression during the extended stimulation, and depression in the second train of four twitches after
increased response in second twitches is due to acumulation and increased availability of residual nerve terminal calcium ions fter high frequency stimulation (post-tetanic potentiation)
What is the effect of a phase I depolarization block on neuromuscular depression?
The twitch response to repetitive motor nerve stimulation is well maintained, but at a reduced level
aka the twitch is smaller, but there is no depression with repeated stimulation
What would the twitch tests results look like for a patient treated with a depolarizing blocker (ex. succinylcholine)?
There would be a consistent low-level twitch with repeated stimulation with no neuromuscular depression
What is the effect of a phase II desensitiation block on the twitch response?
It depresses the twitch response and appears similar to a non-depolarizing blocker
What is the pattern of twitch seen on exam in patients with myasthenia gravis?
They will have a depression in twitch tesnsion in the absence of a neuromuscular blocker
What type of treatment “rescues” the normal twitch response in patients with myasthenia gravis?
Treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor (ex. neostigmine)
What is the pattern of twitch seen on exam in patients with LEMS?
The twitch response to the initial stimulus is smaller but becomes enormous after higher frequency stimulation due to accumulation of calcium and absence of depression
What twitch pattern is observed during surgery for treatment with succinylcholine for intubation followed by vecuronium during surgery?
Succinylcholine - wait until twitches go away and the patient is relaxed to intubate
Vecuronium - train of four stimulations –> two positive twitches, two negative twitches with four successive stimulations
What is the pattern of twitches seen post-operatively with neostigmine treatment after surgery with succinylcholine and vecuronium?
Four stimulations resulting in four twitches
What twitch pattern is observed with treatment of rocuronium before surgery for intubation and during surgery?
Four stimulations resulting in one positive twitch and three negative twitches
What twitch pattern is observed when sugammadex is given post-operatively after a surgery where rocuronium was used?
Four successive twitches with stimulation
How many twitches (out of four) need to be present to determine full reversal of NM block?
Four - any less is not full reversal
What is the definition of the sympathetic and parasympathetic ANS?
Grouped based on anatomical locus, not function.
Parasympathetic - craniosacral localization
Sympathetic - thoracolumbar localization
What types of synapses are the synapses for preganglionic axons of both divisions of the ANS?
Nicotinic cholinergic synapses
Where are the cell bodies for preganglionic axons of both divisions of the ANS?
Within the CNS - emerges as myelinated nerve fibers
What is the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia?
Sympathetic ganglia are located near the spinal cord, parasympathetic ganglia are located in or near target tissues
What type of receptor acts at the neuro-effector junction of parasympathetic nerves?
Almost always Muscarinic receptors that respond to ACh
the exception is nitric oxide for parasympathetic arousal
What type of receptor acts at the neuro-effector junction for mostsympathetic nerves?
Catecholamine receptors that respond to norepinephrine (and epinephrine)
The exceptions are sympathetic cholinergics (signaled by ACh) of eccrine sweat glands
What is the signaling pathway for eccrine sweat glands?
Sympathetic cholinergic: neuro-effector junction has a muscarinic receptor unlike most sympathetic junctions
What mechanisms control pupil size?
Parasympathetics: synapse in ciliary ganglion –> contraction of muscle leads to miosis (constricted pupil)
Sympathetics: synapse in paraspinal ganglion –> contraction of muscle leads to mydriasis (dilated pupil)
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the pupil? Parasympathetic?
Sympathetic: dilation (mydriasis)
Parasympathetic: constriction (miosis)
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the bronchioles? Parasympathetic?
Sympathetic: Dilation
Parasympathetic: Constriction
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the GI muscle wall? Parasympathetic?
Sympathetic: Relaxation
Parasympathetic: Contraction
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the GI Sphnicter? Parasympathetic?
S: Contraction
P: Relaxation
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the urinary bladder muscle wall? Parasympathetic?
S: Relaxation
P: Contraction
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the urinary bladder sphincter? Parasympathetic?
S: Contraction
P: Relaxation
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the sinus heart rate? Parasympathetic?
S: Acceleration
P: Slowing
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the ventricular contractile force of the heart? Parasympathetic?
S: Increased
P: no effect
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the liver? Parasympathetic?
S: glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis
P: glycogen synthesis
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on fat deposits? Parasympathetic?
S: fatty acids released
P: no effect
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on most blood vessels (but not skeletal muscle or liver)? Parasympathetic?
S: Constriction (via alpha receptors)
P: no effect
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on skeletal muscle and liver blood vessels? Parasympathetic?
S: Dilation due to sympathetic, cholinergic, and EPI from medulla on beta2 receptors
P: No effect
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the sexual organs? Parasympathetic?
S: Semen discharge, vasoconstriction
P: Vasodilation (erection)
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on piloerectors? Parasympathetic?
S: contraction
P: no effect
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the spleen? Parasympathetic?
S: contraction
P: no effect
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the salivary glands? Parasympathetic?
S: secretion
P: secretion
only parallel effects
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the eccrine sweat glands? Parasympathetic?
S: secretion (via cholinergics!)
P: no effect
What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on respiratory and digestive glands? Parasympathetic?
S: no effect
P: secretion
- exception –> insulin*
- S: inhibits insulin secretion*
- P: stimulates secretion*
What is the primary regulator of total peripheral resistance?
Sympathetic outflow to blood vessels
- increased sympathetic tone = constricts BVs*
- decreased sympathetic tone = dilated BVs*
What is the pathway of the barostatic response to increases in blood pressure?
Increased BP sensed by stretch receptors in aortic arch (CN X) and carotid sinus (CN IX) –> fires to CN IX and X –> IX and X synapse in medullary NTS –> stimulates the vagal nucleus (also called nucleus ambiguous) –> signals the vagus nerve (X) to slow heart rate
NON VAGAL COMPONENT: nerve from NTS signals to rostral ventral medulla and induces a reduction in sympathetic tone
What is the pathway of the barostatic response to decreases in blood pressure?
Drop in BP sensed by receptors in aortic arch (CN X) and carotid sinus (CN IX) –> decreased firing of baroreceptor afferents –> increases release of NE –> increases vasomotor tone AND increases heart rate
decreased heart rate ALSO due to decreased stimulation of vagal nucleus
What is orthostatic hypotension?
Failure to maintain arterial pressure in upright posture due to low vasomotor tone
can be induced by drugs that block sympathetic signaling to periphery via alpha1 receptors
What isthe micturition reflex?
A pure parasympathetic reflex in newborns
Distension of bladder –> increased intravescal tension –> activates sensory neurons in bladder wall –> sends afferent nerve stimulation to spinal cord –> efferent nerves return to bladder from spinal cord to activate the detrusor muscle and inhibit the sphincter trigone (causing urination)
What plexi are part of the enteric nervous system?
Submucous (Meissner’s) and myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexi
What system of neurons controls the peristaltic reflex?
Enteric nervous system
What is the path of sympathetic cholinergic nerves through the sympathetic ganglion?
Preganglionic fiber enters via white ramus –> synapses in ganglion –> exits through grey ramus