Psychomotor Stimulants Flashcards
What are naturally occurring amphetamine-like compounds?
cathinone
ephedrine/pseudoephedrine
What is the function of cathinone?
potent stimulant, increases HR, excitement, euphoria, anorectic
What is the function of ephedrine?
constricts the nasal blood vessels reducing congestion
What are some medical uses for amphetamines?
reducing congestion alertness anorectic antidepressant attention deficits
What are the major effects of amphetamines on humans?
autonomic function analeptic anorectic decreased fatigue alertness euphoria withdrawal psychosis
What are the major effects of amphetamines on non-human animals?
autonomic functions
psychomotor stimulant
reinforcement
fragmentation of natural behaviours
What are the possible forms of cocaine?
raw leaves paste hydrochloride free base crack
How do the different forms of cocaine affect its function?
changes the method of administration
paste/free base/crack; smokable
hydrochloride; injected
Describe the pharmacokinetics of cocaine
rapid metabolism and elimination
half life; 0.5-1.5 hours
What are the differences between the action of cocaine and amphetamine?
duration of action
cardiovascular effects
What are the effects of repeated psychostimulant administration?
tolerance; escalation of dose for same effect
sensitisation; decreased dose for same effect
What can cause psychostimulant tolerance?
closely spaced drug exposure
continuous drug infusion
binge usage
What can happens in psychostimulant sensitisation?
psychoses
punding
animals; increased locomotor activity/stereotypy
What can influence psychostimulant sensitisation?
stress
sex; increased in females
rate of infusion
administration environment
What are catecholamines?
neurotransmitters mediating reward
Name the catecholamines
dopamine
epinephrine
norepinephrine