Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Is acetylcholine excitatory or inhibitory?
Excitatory
Is glutamate excitatory or inhibitory?
Excitatory
Is dopamine excitatory or inhibitory?
Excitatory
Is GABA excitatory or inhibitory?
Inhibitory
Is serotonin excitatory or inhibitory?
Inhibitory
Is noradrenaline excitatory or inhibitory?
Both, depending on the receptor
What is the mechanism of action for SSRIs?
Bind to the SERT (serotonin transporter) on the presynaptic neuron to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, and increase the amount of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. This increases stimulation of post-synaptic neurons
What are the side effects of SSRIs?
Feeling agitated, shaky or anxious, feeling or being sick.
indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation
What are some examples of SSRIs?
Fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, sertraline
What is the mechanism of action of SNRIs?
Bind to the SERT and NAT (noradrenaline transporter) on the presynaptic membrane to inhibit their uptake, and increase the amount of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft
What are the side effects of SNRIs?
Feeling agitated, shaky or anxious.
feeling or being sick.
indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation
What are some examples of SNRIs?
Venlafaxine, duloxetine
What are the side effects of TCA antidepressants?
Blocks muscarinic receptors too - dry mouth,
slight blurring of vision, constipation, problems passing urine, drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain
What is the mechanism of action of TCA anti-depressants?
Bind to the SERT and NAT (noradrenaline transporter) on the presynaptic membrane to inhibit their uptake, and increase the amount of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft
What are some examples of TCA antidepressants?
Lofepramine, amitriptyline
What is the mechanism of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitor anti-depressants?
Inhibit the action of mono-amine oxidase enzymes (MAO-A and MAO-B), to reduce the breakdown of mono-amine neurotransmitters and increase their availability for post synaptic transmission
MOA-A breaks down serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, adrenaline and noradrenaline, so these are increased
What are some examples of MAOI anti-depressants?
Phenelzine
What is the mechanism of action of NaSSA antidepressants? (noradrenergic and specific serotonergic)
Antagonises the adrenergic alpha2-autoreceptors in the presynaptic neuron membrane – these receptors inhibit exocytosis of adrenaline or noradrenaline, so antagonising them increases exocytosis of the NTs.
It also blocks 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in certain areas to prevent serotonergic transmission in unwanted areas, which can limit side effects of SSRIs
What are some examples of NaSSA antidepressants?
Mirtazapine
What is the mechanism of action for serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs)
Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and antagonises 5-HT-2A receptors, H1 receptors, and alpha-1-adrenergic receptors.
What is an example of a SARI antidepressant?
Trazodone
What is the mechanism of action of anti-convulsants for anxiety?
Inhibits release of excess excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate by binding to the widely distributed voltage-dependent calcium channels in the overexcited neurons of the brain and spinal cord
What are the side effects of anticonvulstants?
Drowsiness, dizziness, increased appetite and weight gain, blurred vision, headaches, dry mouth, vertigo. Because they lower nerve cell excitability, they can also affect normal activity, leading to problems with thinking, remembering, paying attention or concentrating
What is an example of an anti-convulsant used for anxiety?
Pregabalin
What is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines used for anxiety?
Benzos enhance the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA by facilitating it’s binding to GABA receptors, producing a sedative effect
What are the side effects of benzodiazepines for anxiety?
Drowsiness, difficulty, concentrating, headaches, vertigo, an uncontrollable shake or tremble in part of the body (tremor) , low sex drive
What are some examples of benzodiazepines used for anxiety?
Usually diazepam
What is the function of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway and where does it travel from and to?
Reward pathway, transmitting dopmaine from the ventral tegmental area to the ventral striatum
What is the function of the mesocortical dopaminergic pathway and where does it travel from and to?
Cognition and emotion, transmitting dopamine from the VTA to the prefrontal cortex
What is the function of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and where does it travel from and to?
Movement regulation, transmitting from the substantia nigra in the midbrain to the caudate nucleus and putamen in the dorsal striatum
What is the function of the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic pathway and where does it travel from and to?
Regulates secretion of pituitary hormones, transmitting from the infundibular nucleus of the hypothalamus
What causes positive symptoms in schizophrenia?
Hyperactivity of dopamine D2 receptorsin the subcortical and limbic brain regions
What causes negative symptoms in schizophrenia?
Negative symptoms, such as flattened affect, are attributed to thehypoactivity of the dopamine D2 receptorsin the mesocortical pathway