Psychopharmachology

Question 0

Catecholamines

Answer 0

DA, NE, EPI (monoamines)

Related to emotion

Question 1

ACh

Answer 1

CNS & PNS.
In PNS, transmit signal at neuromuscular junction
In CNS, linked to Alzheimer’s (decreased ACh activity in neurons which innervate hippocampus)

Question 2

NE

Answer 2

Involved in alertness and wakefulness

Linked to depression and mania (manic state linked to too much NE, depression to too little)

Question 3

Serotonin

Answer 3

Linked to depression, MA
Thought to have a role in regulating mood, eating, sleeping, arousal
Too much: manic state, too little: depression
SSRIs

Question 4

DA

Answer 4

Related to movement and posture; high concentrations in basal ganglia
Phenothiazines reduce neural sensitivity to DA, antipsychotic
(DA hypothesis is not conclusive- over activity or sensitivity to DA related to schizophrenic symptoms)

Question 5

Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, & DA

Answer 5

Parkinson’s: underactivity of DA –> L-Dopa –> hallucinations/delusions, psychotic symptoms
Schizophrenia: overactivity of DA –> antipsychotics decrease DA activity –> tardive dyskinesia (tremor & “jerky” movement)

Question 6

GABA

Answer 6

inhibitory post synaptic potentials; stabilizes neural activity in the brain; causes hyper polarization in postsynaptic membrane

Question 7

Neuropeptides (“neuromodulators”)

Answer 7

(Peptide: 2+ joined amino acids)

Slower synaptic action (due to more complicated process of transmission) but longer effect in postsynaptic cell

Question 8

Endorphins

Answer 8

Neuropeptide; anti-pain, similar in structure to morphine

Question 9

EPI

Answer 9

stimulates sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”)

Question 10

Sedative-hypnotic drugs

Answer 10

Depressants, slow functioning of CNS; synergistic (additive in effect; ex. benzodiazepines/barbiturates and alcohol can lead to coma)
Enhance activity of GABA
Barbiturates (used as sedative), benzodiazepine, & alcohol

Question 11

Chronic alcohol abuse

Answer 11

Can result in Korsakoff’s syndrome, memory disturbance (due to thiamin “vitamin B1” deficiency)

Question 12

Behavioral stimulants

Answer 12

Increase behavioral activity by increasing motor activity or decreasing fatigue
Amphetamines, antidepressants

Question 13

Amphetamines

Answer 13

Thought to stimulate activity to DA, NE, EPI

Behavioral stimulant

Question 14

Antidepressants

Answer 14

Behavioral stimulant; elevate mood, increase activity, increase appetite, improve sleep quality
Tricyclics, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, SSRIs

Question 15

Tricyclic antidepressants

Answer 15

Facilitate transmission of NE and SER, block MA reuptake

Question 16

MAO inhibitors

Answer 16

Inhibit MAO, increases synaptic supply of NE & SER (prevents their breakdown/inactivation)

Question 17

SSRIs

Answer 17

Inhibit reuptake of SER

Question 18

Methylphenidate

Answer 18

Ritalin, amphetamine to treat ADD/ADHD

Increases alertness and decreases activity in hyperactive children

Question 19

Antipsychotics

Answer 19

Thorazine, chlorpromazine, phenothiazine, haloperidol
Reduce pos symptoms (hal., del., agitation)
Thought to reduce neural sensitivity to DA (block receptors, making it difficult for DA to bind)

Question 20

Lithium carbonate

Answer 20

Mood stabilizer; effectively controls manic symptoms

Question 21

Narcotics

Answer 21

Opium, heroin, morphine

Most bind directly to opiate receptors (which normally respond to endorphins) –> alleviate pain