Pharmacology L9 Flashcards
Drugs acting on the CNS include
Anti-Epileptics
Anti-Parkinsonians
Convultants: Tetanaus toxin
Drugs acting on the neuromuscular junction include
Anti-AChE drugs
Muscle Relaxants
Toxins: Botulinum toxin, Toxic anti-AChE
How does α-Bungarotoxin work
Blocks ACh binding to AChR by binding
irreversibly and competitively to the NMJ nAChR.
What does α-Bungarotoxin do
causes paralysis and respiratory failure
Schematic overview of NMJ:
- Action potentials in the motor neuron cause exocytosis of ACh containing synaptic vesicles
- ACh binds to receptors in the plasma membrane of the junctional folds of the skeletal muscle cell
- This triggers Na+ entry and action potential in the muscle cell
- Excess ACh is removed by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase
What is plasmalemma
Plasma membrane
How does plasmalemma excitation occur
It is caused by binding of ACh from motor neurons to nAChR on plasmalemma of muscle fibers.
What is the function of ion channel and pumps in plasmalemma excitation
maintenance of membrane potential
and triggering of action potential
DRUGS ACTING ON THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION include
- Anticholinesterases
- Neuromuscular blocking drugs
Examples of Anticholinesterases
- Edrophonium; Reversal of NM block
- Neostigmine; Diagnosis of MG
- Pyridostigmine; Treatment of MG
Examples of Neuromuscular blocking drugs
- Tubocurarine
- Pancuronium
- Suxamethonium
Neuromuscular blocking drugs may be subdivided into:
Presynaptic agents
Postsynaptic agents
What are Presynaptic agents
-inhibit ACh synthesis
- inhibit ACh release
What are Postsynaptic agents
They are used to cause clinical paralysis during anesthesia
Examples of Postsynaptic agents
-Non-depolarizing Competitive antagonists which block N-AChR
- Persistent depolarizing ACh receptor agonists