Pharmacology 3 Flashcards
Def of neuromodualtor
Any substance that has an effect on neurotransmission
What are the types of transmission in the brain
Chemical and voltage
What is essential for CNS drugs
Selectivity
What influx signals NT’s
Calcium
Two methods of NT action
Degradation via enzymes
Reputable into the presynaptic neuron
What activates para and sympathathetic systems and is degraded by acetylcholinesterase
ACH
What amino acids are degraded by transaminase?
GABA (sedative)
Glutamate/aspartame (stimulating)
Glycine/taurine (INHB /+ Excitatory)
Amines degraded by Monoamine Oxidase
Dopamine
NE
Serotonin
Histamine
[Excitatory or Inhibitory based on class]
Neuropeptides degraded by peptidses
Opioid
Techykins
Define sensitization
Up regulation of receptors, caused by long term antagonism or reduction of NT release
** may be more sensitive to medications **
Define desensitization
Down regulation of receptors, caused by sustained release or slower elimination of NT’s
Examples = Opioids
What defines a major depressive episode
Period of 2 weeks with 5 or + depressive symptoms
*Depressed mood
*Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
Insomnia
Hypersomnia
Change in appetite or weight
Psychomotor retardation or agitation
Low energy
Poor concentration
Thoughts of worthlessness or guilt
Recurrent thoughts about death or suicide
Patients that had one major depressive episode and do not have a history of mania or hypomania.
Unipolar Major Depression or MDD
Depression that lasts 2 or more years with symptom-free periods being less than 2 consecutive months. (May include periods of MDD)
PDD or dysthymia
What causes mood disorders and how do we try to fix it?
Nearly all mood disorders are caused by an abnormal functional activity of neurotransmitters in the brain
By enhancing or blocking the presence (effect) of the neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, we are attempting to change or “normalize” the mood
3 main types of depression
Reactive or Secondary (Most Common): response to grief, illness, drugs, alcohol, senility
Unipolar: genetically determined and unable to experience ordinary pleasure or cope with life events (Major Depressive Disorder)
Bi-Polar Affective: depression associated with mania (manic-depressive
When are Psychotherapy and Exercise recommended
Recommended as monotherapy as initial treatment in patients with mild to moderate MDD
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT
When would we use electroconvulsive therapy
Option for refractory depression, depression in pregnancy, psychotic depression, and other conditions for which medications may not be optimal or effective
Cycle is three treatments/week
What preg category are most antidepressants
Cat C
What happens in the absence of a serotonin reputable inhibitor
serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is released from raphe neurons that project to limbic structures.
Serotonin activates postsynaptic and presynaptic 5-HT receptors and undergoes reuptake into the presynaptic neuron
What class of antidepressants blocks retake of 5-HT
TCA
SSRI
SNRI
What happens with continued use of a TCA SSRI or SNRI
increased synaptic concentrations of 5-HT cause the down-regulation of presynaptic autoreceptors and an increase in the firing rate of raphe neurons.
What is the efficacy of Benzo’s
Not classified as an anti-depressant
Used short-term in acute anxiety management while SSRIs are initiated
What are the tertiary TCA’s and their role?
More potent at blocking reuptake of serotonin > norepinephrine
Include: amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine