Psychopharmacology Flashcards

Question

what is the blood brain barrier?

Answer 1

a network of blood vessels and cells that limit the exchange of substances between the blood and the brain. Large and non-lipid soluble molecules cannot pass. Selectively permeable but not impermeable Reduced diffusion of water soluble molecules

Answer 2

Unlike other capillaries- those in the brain are not very porous and are separated from the brain by tightly packed glia cells (designed to keep toxic sentences out)

Answer 3

CTZ- chemical trigger zone on the brainstem. The vomiting center- causes you to vomit if it detects a toxic substances Allowing exposure to water soluble chemicals in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (for example toxins, biochemical products, and drugs ) that stimulate its receptors. Evolution at work

Answer 4

placental barrier

Answer 5

liver contains many different enzymes, enzymes change drug to inactive compound

Answer 6

alcohol (basis of breathalyzer)

Answer 7

(alcohol and cocaine). Some drugs will be incorporated into the hair which is why hair analysis is a basis from drug testing

Answer 8

breastmilk

Answer 9

The amount of time to clear 50% of the drug is called half-life Drug clearance from blood occurs exponentially. There is a constant fraction of free blood during each time interval. This determines time period doses

Answer 10

THC has a half-life of three to four days because its stored in the body's fat cells and is not very water-soluble. Depending on the quantity and concentration of THC, especially with some of the stronger forms now available, the half life can be as long as 10-12 days Since most testing for THC is via a urinalysis, and this testing has been perfected over years, it is considered extremely accurate, so accurate that it can detect THC several weeks and ever months after use

Answer 11

The half life of this is approx. 12 hours, but can be detected 1-4 days after use

Answer 12

The half-life of cocaine is only about an hour, but can be detected up to four days after use

Answer 13

The half life of heroin is only three to eight minutes, and then is broken down by the body into morphine, which has a half-life of about 3.6 hours. Morphine can be detected in the blood for up to four days after heroin use

Answer 14

GHB has a half life of 20-53 minutes, depending upon the person and the dosage. Only five percent will remain after two hours

Answer 15

Effect that drugs have on the body Generally drugs either enhance or dampen neurotransmission

Answer 16

substances that bind to the same receptors as a neurotransmitter and have similar effect on neuronal function as that neurotransmitter

Answer 17

substance that binds to a receptor. But does not have an physiological effects

Answer 18

increase activity, alertness and mood. Caffeine and nicotine and cocaine have different mechanisms of action but share common dopamine transmission

Answer 19

Inhibits reuptake of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline by binding to presynaptic transporter proteins (increasing monoamines in the synapse)

Answer 20

Amphetamines (synthetic drugs_ increase dopamine and noradrenaline by enhancing release and inhibiting reuptake

Answer 21

Caffeine- adenosine antagonist. Adenosine inhibits dopamine ( and glutamate) release. Caffeine, by antagonizing the effects of adenosine, can facilitate dopaminergic neurotransmission by stimulating dopamine release by potentiating the effects of dopamine receptor stimulation

Answer 22

Depressant substances reduce arousal and stimulation. They affect the central nervous system, slowing down the messages between the brain and the body

Answer 23

Barbiturates (mediations that cause you to relax or feel drowsy. They can also top or prevent convulsions and seizures) Benzodiazepines Alcohol

Answer 24

1-First, alcohol affects the forebrain and assaults motor coordination and decision making 2-Then, alcohol knows out the midbrain, and you lose control over emotions and increase chances of a blackout 3-Finally, alcohol batters the brainstem as it affects heart rate, body temperature, appetite and consciousness, a dangerous and potentially fatal condition

Answer 25

Specific type- ethanol Originally probably accidental via fermented fruits Most common drug in the world Excessive consumption of depressants can lead to respiratory depression, seizures, and potentially even death

Answer 26

Valium They are used to treat moderate to severe anxiety, panic attacks and epileptic seizures. They work by increasing the effect of GABA. GABA reduces brain activity in the area of the brain responsible for rational thought It is an allosteric modulator (indirectly influences neurotransmitters by acting at another site distinct from primary receptors ) It bind to another site that changes shape of receptor so that when GABA bind to its receptors a greater response is elicited

Answer 27

low brain function Slowed pulse and breathing Lowered blood pressure Poor concentration Confusion Fatigue2 Dizziness Slurred speech Fever Sluggishness Visual disturbances Dilated pupils Disorientation, lack of coordination Depression Difficulty or inability to urinate Addiction

Answer 28

Have CNS depressant qualities but main effect to reduce pain Narcotics/ opiates (morphine/codeine) Produce relaxation and sleep (high dose coma and death) they decrease activity in your medulla (a part of your brain) which causes your breathing, heart and gastrointestinal tract to slow down. Your body releases its own painkiller- called endorphins. Opioids bind to those same receptors in your brain, allowing your body to increase its ability to relieve pain. It also works to increase the releases of dopamine (your happy neurotransmitter)

Answer 29

widespread but selective distribution in the central and peripheral nervous systems, particularly in circuits involved in pain modulation, reward, responses to stress, and autonomic control

Answer 30

bind to opioid receptors- increase dopamine release

Answer 31

An opioid is a term that was originally used to differentiate synthetic opiates from pure opiates. Opioids were applied to semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs of the opiate class of medicines. Now the term opiates and opioids are used interchangeable to describe any opioid- based frug or medication synthesizes to mimic its effects

Answer 32

include fentanyl, methadone, tramadol and oxytocin

Answer 33

heroine and morphine

Answer 34

Many that abuse prescription opioids may well start with a genuine complaint such as post-operative pain, a broken bone or a back problem. The problem with opioids of any kind is that they cause tolerance and dependence to built up very quickly- within 2-10 days of continuous use.

Answer 35

mesolimbic (midbrain) reward system This system generates signals in a part of the brain called the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that result in the release of the chemical dopamine (DA) in another part of the brain, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) (The nucleus accumbens is considered as the neural interface between motivation and action, playing a key role on feeding, sexual, reward, stress-related, drug self administration behaviors) This release of DA into the NAc causes feelings of pleasure.

Answer 36

considered as the neural interface between motivation and action, playing a key role on feeding, sexual, reward, stress-related, drug self administration behaviors

Answer 37

One of the brain circuits that is activated by opioids is the mesolimbic (midbrain) reward system. This system generates signals in a part of the brain called the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that result in the release of the chemical dopamine (DA) in another part of the brain, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) (The nucleus accumbens is considered as the neural interface between motivation and action, playing a key role on feeding, sexual, reward, stress-related, drug self administration behaviors) This release of DA into the NAc causes feelings of pleasure. Other areas of the brain create a lasting record or memory that associates these good feelings with the circumstances and environment in which they occur. These memories, called conditioned associations, often lead to the craving for drugs when the abuser reen-counters those persons, places, or things, and they drive abusers to seek out more drugs in spite of many obstacles.

Answer 38

One that attaches directly to the receptor site and acts like a neurotransmitter. Heroin is a direct agonist- resembles brains natural opioids enough to activate opioid receptors Nicotine attaches to acetylcholine receptors

Answer 39

A substance that enhances the release or action of an endogenous neurotransmitter but has no specific agonist activity at the neurotransmitter receptor itself Cocaine is a reuptake inhibitor of dopamine so a build up occurs in the synapse. It attaches to dopamine transporter so dopamine cannot reenter cell through reuptake mechanism

Answer 40

Compete with neurotransmitter for binding on receptor site They reduce the action because they bind to the receptor but do not cause a response Reduced the umber of available receptors for neurotransmitter to activate. Can also block an agonist drug Opioid antagonist can reverse overdose of opioid agonist like morphine

Answer 41

Strong effects on perceptual and conscious processed Distortion Inhaled or ingested Natural or synthetic Mescaline found in peyote cactus Psilocybin found in mushrooms

Answer 42

synthetic LSD Strong effects on perceptual and conscious processed Distortion Inhaled or ingested Natural or synthetic Mescaline found in peyote cactus Psilocybin found in mushrooms

Answer 43

MDMA acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception, and enhances enjoyment of tactile experiences. MDMA affects the brain by increasing the activity of at least three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells ) serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine Like other amphetamines, MDMA enhances release of these neurotransmitters and/or blocks their reuptake resulting in increased neurotransmitter levels within the synaptic cleft MDMA causes greater release of serotonin and norepinephrine than of dopamine However, By releasing large amounts of serotonin, MDMA causes the brain to become significantly depleted of the important neurotransmitter, contributing to the negative psychological aftereffects

Answer 44

Unsettling feeling of concern or worry Multiple neurotransmitter implicated Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) (neuropeptide that acts like a NT) Norepinephrine GABA Serotonin Dopamin

Answer 45

Benzodiazepines very effective but only short term course- they bind to GABA receptors – drugs that enhance GAB are most effective Anticonvulsants- widely reduce neuronal excitability and resemble the benzodiazepines in their ability to alter the balance between inhibitory and excitatory neuronal activity Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin- norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Answer 46

predicts that the underlying pathophysiologic basis of depression is a depletion in the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine in the CNS

Answer 47

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin- norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Atypical antidepressants.. Tricyclic antidepressants.. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Answer 48

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness with positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior) negative symptoms and cognitive impairment Dopamine has been the central focus but now other neurotransmitters implicated NMDA is a glutamate receptor

Answer 49

hallucinations and delusions

Answer 50

- disorganized speech, thought, language thought disorder characterization: thought blocking, loosening of associations, tangentiality disorganised behaviour

Answer 51

alogia (poverty of speech) flat affect poor attention avolition (loss of motivation) anhedonia (lack of pleasure) loss of social interest attentional deficits

Answer 52

Antipsychotic drugs- neuroleptics Older drugs (traditional) and second generation often called atypical neuroleptics DA receptor antagonism is responsible for antipsychotic action- either by blocking receptors or inhibiting DA release Each drug has a different bonding site that produces different side effect which often result in patients stop taking medication Parkinsons- movement disorder