Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Psychopharmacology is the
study of the effect of drugs on the nervous system
A drug is
- not found in the body
- not necessary for normal functioning
- alters the function of certain cells of the body
Describe the order of routes of administration that are fastest, most potent, and most addictive
1) Intravenous
2) Smoked
3) Oral
4) Intranasal
Most drugs have ________ both _____ and ______ and each of these are associated with a _________
multiple effects, desirable, undesirable, dose-response curve
Explain the dose-response curve
There is a curve for therapeutic effects and toxic effects which will create a margin of safety.
Drugs cause affects by….. and occurs at
- affecting the communication between neurons in the brain
- the synapse
Antagonists are…
drugs that inhibit the effects of neurotransmitters
Agonists are…
drugs that mimic or enhance the effects of neurotransmitters
An agonist
binds to a neurotransmitter binding site and promotes opening of an ion channel
An antagonist
binds to a neurotransmitter binding site and blocks the opening of an on channel
Competitive Binding occurs at
NT binding site
Direct Agonist
binds to and activates receptors; facilitates channel opening
Direct Antagonist
binds to but does not activate receptors; inhibits channel opening
Non-competitive binding
occurs at alternate binding sites on the same receptor
Indirect agonist
binds to alternative site, facilitates ion channel opening
Indirect antagonist
binds to alternative site and prevents ion channel from opening
List the Agnostic drug effects
- increase synthesis or neurotransmitters
- increase release of NTs
- block re-uptake of NTs from the synapse
- bind to postsynaptic receptor and mimic the effect of NTs
List the Antagonistic Drug effects
- block synthesis of NTs
- block release of NTs
- destroy the NT in the synapse
- competitively bind to postsynaptic receptors, not activate them, blocking NT effect
Stimulants _____ by binding to _____ receptors as _____ or by increasing levels of ______
depolarize; glutamate, agonists, excititory NTs
Sedatives _______ by binding to ____ receptors as _____ or to _____ receptors as ______
hyper-polarize; glutamte; antagonists; GABA; agonists
A stimulants drug will ______ effect of glutamate and make it ______ to fire and action potential
boost; more likely
A sedative drug that _____ the effects of GABA and make it ______ to fire an action potential
boost; less likely
Too much stimulation =
seizures
Too much sedation =
coma
The classical stimulants are
Amphetamines and Cocaine
Amphetamines and Cocaine …
block re-uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, increasing excitation in the brain
Amphetamines & Cocaine behave as
indirect agonists of Dopamine and Norepinephrine
Cocaine is an _____ of the dopamine re-uptake pump but ultimately behaves as a _______ because it _____ the amount of dopamine at synapse
antagonist; indirect agonist, increases
The effect of classical stimulants on Mesocortical DA pathway
attention, concentration, cognitive flexibility
The effect of classical stimulant on Mesolimbic DA pathway
motivation, memory, euphoria
The classical sedatives & tranquilizers are
barbituates + benzodiazepines
Barbiturates are..
indirect agonists of GABA type-A receptors
For barbiturates the _____ is very high
overdose potential
Benzodiazepines are…
indirect agonists of GABA type A receptor
Benzodiazepines overdoes potential is ___
very low
Benzodiazepines is used for ______ and includes _____
anxiety; valium, xanax
Classical sedatives lead to _____ permeability of _____ ions through GABA
increased; chloride
Alcohol is a
atypical sedative
Alcohol is a _____ of _____ receptor and a ______ of ______ receptors
indirect agonist; GABA type A; antagonist of NMDA glutamate
Alcohol increase _____ and ____ and has a mild _____ effect
inhibition; sedation; dopamine
Ketamine and Phencyclidine are
atypical sedatives
Ketamine and Phencyclidine are _______ of the _____ receptor and increase ______
indirect antagonists ; NMDA glutamate; inhibition
Ketamine and Phencyclidine bind to ______ and prevent ____
PCP site; ion flow
Ketamine and Phencyclidine in small doses produce ______ and larger doses produce _______
relaxation, pain relief; sedation, anesthesia, dissociation
Classical Psychedelics include
LSD, mescaline, psilocybin
Classical Psychedelics all are _________ and produce ______
serotonin agonists; vivid hallucinations
Opiates include
morphine, heroin, oxycodine, codeine
Opiates bind to _____ receptors in the _____ & ______ as ______ to block _____
opiate; brain; spinal cord; agonists; pain signals
In large doses opiates increase ____ release in the ____ leading to a state of ____
dopamine; brain; euphoria
Endogenous opiates are
small peptide NTs produced by neurons in the brain and spinal cord
Endogenous opiates include
endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins
Endogenous opiates are released in response to
pain, stress, vigorous excersies
Endogenous opiates bind to ____ receptors in the ____ & _____ as ____
opiate; brain’ spinal cord; agonists
A placebo
is a treatment that is presumed to be ineffective
Placebo effects must be
controlled for
