Principles of CNS Pharmacology Flashcards
The function of neurons
Process information
Percentage of the body’s energy supply that the brain consumes
About 20%
The gap between neurons that allows transmission from one neuron to another
synapse
Neuron type that responds to a stimulus
sensory neuron
Neuron type that elicits a response
Motor neuron
Neuron type that integrates signals and makes connections with other neurons
Interneurons
Portion of neurons that forms grey matter
cell bodies
Multiple fine processes that extend from the cell body and recieve synaptic contacts from other neurons
dendrites
One process that extends from the cell body and sends info to other neurons
Axon
Portions of neurons that make up white matter
Axons
The highly specialized anatomical feature designed specifically to allow neurons to transmit info to other neurons
Presynaptic terminal
Ion that is relatively permeable through the neuron cell membrane and has a higher concentration inside the cell than outside
K+
The trigger zone of the neuron where integrations occur
Axon hillock
A brief all or none depolarization and repolarization of the membrane potential due to the activation of voltage sensitive Na+ channels
action potential
When several excitatory postsynaptic potentials arrive at the axon hillock simultaneously
Spatial summation
When post synaptic potentials created at the same synapse in rapid succession can be summed
Temporal summation
Small organelles that store neurotransmitters
synaptic vesicles
The major excitatory neurontransmitter in the brain
Glutamate
Inotropic glutamate receptor that is only permeable to Na+ and responds at normal resting potential
AMPA receptors
Inotropic glutamate receptors that are permeable to Na+ and Ca2+ and respond at depolarized potentials
NMDA receptors
What blocks NMDA receptors from opening at normal resting potential
MG2+
Pharmacologic agents that promote the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin
Thrombolytic agents
The key structural protein in most blood clots
Fibrin
