Psychopharmacology

Question 1

Agonists

Answer 1

produce effects similar to those produced by an endogenous
neurotransmitter

Question 2

direct agonists

Answer 2

mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter a receptor site

Question 3

indirect agonists

Answer 3

attach to a binding site on a receptor cell (site other than the one used by the neurotransmitter) AND facilitate the action of a neurotransmitter

Question 4

Inverse Agonists

Answer 4

produce an effect opposite to the effect produced by a neurotransmitter
or agonist

Question 5

Antagonists

Answer 5

produce no activity on their own but reduce or block the effects of a
neurotransmitter or agonist

Question 6

direct antagonists

Answer 6

attach to a neurotransmitter’s receptor site, while
indirect antagonists interfere with the action of a neurotransmitter

Question 7

Conventional Antipsychotics what are they

Answer 7

1. haloperidol
2. chlorpromazine
3. fluphenazine
4. thiothixene

Question 8

Antipsychotic use?

Answer 8

-Alleviate psychotic symptoms (hallucination, delusions)
-most often prescribed for Schizophrenia
-used to treat: acute mania, delusions, hallucinations, associated with MDD, organic psychoses
-other positive symptoms
-LESS EFFECTIVE FOR NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS

Question 9

How do antipsychotic’s work?

Answer 9

work primarily by blocking dopamine receptors (D2), and their effectiveness
for treating Schizophrenia was used to support the
-dopamine hypothesis

Question 10

What is the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 10

Schizophrenia is related to the OVERACTIVITY at dopamine receptors as a result of OVERSENSITIVY of receptors or EXCESSIVE dopamine levels.

Question 11

What is the support for the dopamine hypothesis?

Answer 11

Research study suggests.
-amphetamines (alleviate dopamine) produce psychotic symptoms non-schizophrenics (similiar to paranoid schizophrenia).
-Low doses of ampheamine in individuals with schizophrenia exacerbate their symptoms. (that increase dopamine)

Question 12

What are some of the side effects of traditional antipsychotics?

Answer 12

-anticholinergic
-extrapyramidal effects
neuroloeptic malignant syndrome

Question 13

anticholinergic

Answer 13

effects (a - Anhidrosis) - increase temp, b- blurred vision, c - constipation, d - dry mouth) other urinary retention, tachycardia, delayed ejaculation - appear early and tolerence delveops within a few weeks

Question 14

extrapyramidal

Answer 14

Caused by dopamine receptors (caudate nucleus.

side effects include parkinsonism, akathisia (extreme motor restlessness), dystonia (spasms in the mouth), and tardive dyskinesia

Question 15

Describe Tardive dyskinesia?

Answer 15

is a condition where your face, body or both make sudden, irregular movements which you cannot control.
most serious extrapyramidal
-occurs late
-female patients
-simliar to huntington’s disease
-involuntary rhythmic movement of jaw, lips, tongue, and extremities

Question 16

What is the most potent of the antipsychotics?

Answer 16

Haloperidol is associated with the most severe extrapyramidal effects.

Question 17

neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

Answer 17

rare but potential side effect.
-rapid onset of motor, mental, and autonomic sx
-stop drug as soon as symptoms develop
-neuroleptic malignant syndrome involves muscle rigidity,
tachycardia, high fever, an altered state of consciousness, and
severe diarrhea

Question 18

Is Tardive dyskinesia irreversible?

Answer 18

-may be alleviated with benzodiazzepine or other GABA agonist and
alleviated by slowly withdrawing the drug

Question 19

What are Atypical Antipsychotics?

Answer 19

1. Clozapine - bipolar, dep. and sucidality, alcohol idorder, drug addiction, hostility, motor sx of huntington’s disease, parkinson’s and othe rmovement disorders
2. Resperidone
3. olanzapine
4. quetiapine

Question 20

Which neurotransmitters are affected by non-traditional antipsychotics?

Answer 20

affect several neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin,
norepinephrine, and glutamate

Question 21

Advantage of Atypical Antipsychotics?

Answer 21

-alleviate both pos and neg of schizo
-effective when traditional anti psychotic

Question 22

Disadvantage of traditional antipsychotic drugs?

Answer 22

slower onset of therapeutic effects than traditional antipsychotics do

Question 23

Common side effects of Atypical Antipsychotics?

Answer 23

side effects include anticholinergic effects, lowered seizure threshold,
and sedation

Question 24

Common side effects of extrapyramidal?

Answer 24

-less common
-common is akathisia
-possible - neuroleptic malignant syndrome (takes awhile to develop, reduction in movement, and rigidity–dopamine)
-less likely to cause tardive dyskinesia
-can cause agranulocytosis - decrease in a certain type of white blood cells and other blood dyscrasias (unspecified blood condition e.g., over production)