Psychopharmacology Flashcards
When is synaptic transmission initiated?
when the action potential reaches the axon terminal
When are the Ca2+ voltage-gated channels opened?
when the action potenital reaches the axon terminal
What can happen to neurotransmitters when inactivated?
diffusion, enzymatic degradation, re-uptake
What is diffusion of a neurotransmitter?
the transmitter is “lost” in the inter-cellular space
What is enzymatic degradation of a neurotransmitter?
enzymes break down the transmitter (important for drugs)
What is re-uptake of neurotransmitter?
the transmitter is recycled either in the pre-synaptic or the post-synaptic neuron
What can TTX produce?
paralysis of the diaphragm and death due to respiratory failure
The tetanospasmin toxin interferes with the vesicles of GAVA fusing with the cell membrane… meaning what
This reduces the amount of GABA released into the synapse.
What is tetanus?
uncontrollable muscle contractions
What is a monoamine?
contains a sinlge amino group
Example of an excitatory synapse?
glutamate
example of an inhibitory synapse?
GABA
example of a mainly excitatory but also inhibitory synapse?
acetylcholine, dopamine…
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter taht has what two types of receptors?
Nicotinic (excitatory) and muscarinic (inhibitory)
What does Botulinum toxin interfere with
the release of Acetylcholine at nicotinic synapses, by preventing the vesicles from fusing with the cell membrane
What is Botulinum used in?
botox
Amphetamine is a simlar structure to dopamine, meaning what
• Due to its similarity to dopamine, amphetamine can enter the dopamine-releasing neuron either directly through the membrane or by binding to the dopamine transporter (molecule that ‘recycles’ dopamine back into the cell from the synaptic cleft)
What is the nucleus accumbens
a group of cells in Basal Ganglia
Which plant toxxin causes paralysis?
. the plant toxin curare in South America occupies acetylcholine’s receptors in excitatory (nicotinic) synapses, blocking them and causing paralysis
Curare acts as an antagonist.
What is curare used in surgery as?
an anaesthetic agent
What do agonists do?
imitate the behaviour of the neurotransmitter
What is heroin an agonist of?
endorphines - natural body chemicals that bind to opiate receptors and reduces pain and induces relaxation
What is nicotine an agonist for?
acetylcholine
What does cocaine block the transporter of?
noradrenaline and dopamine
What substances are foudn in chocolate
anandamide and phenylethylamine
What self-inhibiting transmitter is released in coffee?
adenosine
What does caffeine act on?
• It acts on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
What does cAMP control
controls the energy levels in the cell via the regulation of glucose metabolism
At a low dose, alcohol is an agonist of what
the neurotransmitter GABA. GABA is typically found in inhibitory synapses
In high doses, alcohol binds to what
GABA channels leads to powerful inhibition and sedation
What do MAO inhibitors do?
interfere with the enzyme MAO, which breaks down serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline
what do tricyclic antidepressants do?
inhibit the transporter of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline
What is schizophrenia associated with?
a surplus of dopamine
