Pharmacology Flashcards
Define action potential
the electrical/chemical way info is transmitted from cell to cell
at rest the neuron contains which elements
outside is excess sodium, inside is excess potassium
What creates action potential
when a stimulant is sufficient enough to cause the sodium and potassium to switch places
Where are neurotransmitters released to
the synaptic cleft
Name two things that can happen when a neurotransmitter is released
it can bind to adjacent dendrites or reuptake occurs
what happens when dendrites capture neurotransmitters
the flow of information is continued
what happens in the reuptake process
the neurotransmitters such as serotonin do not make it to the other neuron, instead they are sucked back into the terminal buttons
which neurotransmitter is low in depression
serotonin
What do SSRI’s do
inhibits reuptake of serotonin so that more serotonin can make it to the adjacent neuron
Define agonist
anything that enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter
Define antagonist
anything that inhibits the neurotransmitter effect
Define excitatory neurotransmitter
increases likelihood of action potential
Name three excitatory neurotransmitters
acetylcholine, epinephrine, glutamate
Define inhibitory neurotransmitters
decreases likelihood of action potential
Name two inhibitory neurotransmitters
GABA, endorphins
What are the most common neurotransmitters in the brain
acetylcholine and glutamate
Which neurotransmitter aids in voluntary movement, memory, and cognition
acetylcholine
What structure of the brain is acetylcholine active in
the hippocampus
Dementia/Alzheimers is a result of a deficiency of which neurotransmitter
acetylcholine
Name two catecholamines
dopamine and norepinephrine
Which catecholamine is involved in movement, thinking, and emotion
dopamine
Which neurotransmitter is linked to the reward system of the brain
dopamine
Are traditional antipsychotics antagonists or agonists
antagonists- block dopamine receptors
What is the process called if a neurotransmitter is blocked
reuptake
Second generation antipsychotics are agonists of which neurotransmitters
dopamine and serotonin, they block the dopamine receptors
Parkinsons results from degeneration of the neurons that transmit dopamine
true
What is L-Dopa treatment
dopamine agonist, enhances dopamine in the brain
Norepinephrine (or noradrenaline) is involved with what
mood, sleep, and pain
depression is a result of
deficiencies of norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
mania is a result of
excess norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
Serotonin is involved in
many things; mood, sleep, appetite, aggression, pain, perception, sexual activity
dysregulation of which neurotransmitter is associated with suicidality and impulsivity
serotonin
Too little serotonin usually results in what
mood disorder
name three amino acids
GABA, glycine, glutamate
Name two major inhibitory neurotransmitters (calming effect)
GABA and glycine
Too little GABA results in which disorders
anxiety disorders and seizure disorders
What type of medication is a GABA agonist
Benzodiazepines
In addition to dopamine, which neurotransmitter is implicated in schizophrenia, OCD, autism, and depression
glutamate
What are enkephalins and endorphins
bodies of opioids
Are opioids natural pain killers
yes
define lipid soluble
capability of substance to dissolve in lipids (fats and oils)
generic drugs have the exact same pharmacological effects as brand name drugs T/F
true
which schedule of drug has the highest potential for abuse and have no medical qualities
schedule 1
schedule 2 drugs do not have potential for abuse and dependence T/F
false, they have high potential for abuse and dependence and have SOME medicinal qualities
What schedule drug is meth considered
schedule 2
How many schedules of drugs are there
5
Drugs are scheduled based on what
their potential for abuse
