Principles of Neuropharmacology Flashcards
What is the structure of a brain capillary?
Tight junctions between endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes
What structures control what enters the CSF?
Pericytes and astrocytes
Which substances can diffuse across the blood brain barrier?
Water, some gases and lipid soluble molecules
Which substances are selectively transported across the blood brain barrier?
Glucose and amino acids
Which substances are actively transported out of the brain and via what mechanism?
Lipophilic potentially neurotoxic substances via P-glycoprotein
What type of drugs reach a high concentration in the brain?
Drugs with a high oil/water partition coefficient such as nikotin, ethanol, heroin and diazepam
Why do some substances have a higher than expected concentration in the brain?
Transported across the blood brain barrier by transport proteins
Which two anti-epileptic drugs have a lower than expected brain concentration? Why?
Phenobarbital and phenyloin
Suspected to be due to multi-drug transporters that mediate transmembrane transport of lipophilic drugs (in humans has found to be PGP)
When should treatment for epilepsy be started?
Chronic epilepsy, status epilepticus, cluster seizures or severe post-ictal signs present
What needs to be communicated to the client prior to starting treatment?
Lifetime commitment
Give them a set of instructions for if a seizure occurs
Side effects of drugs
Possibility the dog won’t respond to therapy
What should be considered when starting treatment?
Mono-therapy to start
Seizure frequency
Monitoring of plasma levels
Assess owner compliance
What are the limitations of AEDs (anti-epileptic drugs)?
Toxicity, tolerance, inappropriate pharmacokinetics, expense
What is phenobarbital’s method of action?
Increases duration of chloride ion channel opening at GABA receptor resulting in increased efficacy of GABA
What is the dose of phenobarbital?
2.5 mg/kg BID
How long does phenobarbital take to reach a steady state?
10-14 days
What is the therapeutic range of phenobarbital?
15-35 mg/kg
What are the side effects of phenobarbital?
Sedation, PD, polyphagia, hepatotoxicity (at very high doses)
When should the plasma levels be checked for phenobarbital?
At 14, 45, 90, 180 and 360 days and then check every 6 months
What is the loading dose of phenobarbital?
12-24 mg/kg within 24 hours
When should the dose of phenobarbital be adjusted?
If seizure frequency is the same or increased after 30 days
Monitor drug levels and increase by 5ug/ml at a time
What are the possible side effects detectable on bloods?
Total T4 and basal T4 reduction
Hepatotoxicity - ALP elevation
What idiosyncratic reactions have been associated with phenobarbital?
Behavioural alterations
Immune-mediated neutropenia/thrombocytopenia/anaemia
Superficial necrolytic dermatitis
Hepatotoxic reactions
What is the mechanism of action of potassium bromide?
Unknown
When is potassium bromide used?
Can be used a first line but mainly as an add on