Psychopharmacology Flashcards
What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter?
GABA
What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter?
Glutamate
What are antagonists?
Drugs that oppose or inhibit the effects of a NT on the postsynaptic cell.
What are agonists?
Drugs that facilitate the effects of a particular NT on the postsynaptic cell.
What are the agonistic effects that drugs can have on synaptic transmission? (6)
- Drug serves as precursor (creates more NT)
- Drug stimulates release of NT
- Drug blocks autoreceptors, inc synthesis / release if NT
- Drug stimulates postsynaptic receptors
- Drug blocks reuptake
- Drug inactivates acetylcholinesterase (post synaptic neuron)
What are antagonistic effects drugs can have?
Drug inactivates synthetic enzyme & inhibits synthesis of NT
Drug prevents storage of NT in vescicles
Drug stimulates autoreceptors, inhibits synthesis/release of NT
Drug inhibits release of NT
Drug blocks postsynaptic receptors
Where are neurotransmitters stored?
Vescicles
What are transporter molecules responsible for?
Reuptake of NT into terminal button
How do antagonist drugs work on transporter molecules?
Drug binds with molecule and blocks NT from entering
How do antagonistic drugs prevent release of NTs from terminal buttons?
Deactivate proteins that cause synaptic vesicles to fuse with presynaptic membrane
How do agonistic drugs increase release of NTs from terminal buttons?
Bind with proteins , triggering release of NTs
What is competitive binding?
Drug competes with neurotransmitter for binding site
What is non competitive binding
Binding of a drug on a receptor doesn’t interfere w primary binding
What is a direct agonist?
Drug that binds with and activates a receptor
What is a direct antagonist?
Binds with a receptor but doesn’t activate it (also known as receptor blocker)