Stimulants and Cognitive Enhancers, Parkinsons

Question 1

Amphetamine

Answer 1

Sympathomimetic which reverses the NE reuptake pump leading to Sympathetic responses. Toxicity includes vivid hallucinations, paranoid delusions and compulsions, weight loss.

Question 2

Methylphenidate

Answer 2

enhance DA release and block reuptake Increased wakefulness, alertness, initiative, confidence, ability to concentrate, motor & speech activity toxicity similar to amphetamine.

Question 3

Cocaine

Answer 3

Blocks reuptake of norepinepherine for motor function, reuptake of dopamine for euphoria, and also acts as a local anesthetic. Toxicity includes cardiac arrhythmias, coronary and cerebral thrombosis.

Question 4

MDMA

Answer 4

Derived from meth, stimulates the release and reuptake of NE, NE, and DA. Unlike amphetamines, it stimulates seratonin autorecptors and stimulates the release of serotonin and inhibits its reuptake.

Question 5

Bath Salts

Answer 5

They act in the brain like stimulant drugs. often contain amptamine like chemicals by starting with a non DEA regulated drug and adjusting to it so that it induces a high.
Toxicity associated includes chest pains, increased BP, HR, agitation, hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions.

Question 6

Caffeine

Answer 6

Unknown MOA, leads to sympathetic effects along with increased focus and alertness.

Question 7

Theophylline

Answer 7

Unknown MOA, leads to sympathetic effects along with increased focus and alertness.

Question 8

Modafinil

Answer 8

Treatment of Narcolepsy. increases dopamine release in the striatum, nucleus accumbens, and may also block dopamine reuptake. It also releases NE release in the hypothalamus, and increase serotonin release in the amygdala and frontal cortex. Adverse effects include headache, nausea, insomnia, lack of appetite, dizziness, agitation, anxiety and high blood pressure.

Question 9

Armodafinil

Answer 9

R isomer of modafinil. Treatment of Narcolepsy. increases dopamine release in the striatum, nucleus accumbens, and may also block dopamine reuptake. It also releases NE release in the hypothalamus, and increase serotonin release in the amygdala and frontal cortex. Adverse effects include headache, nausea, insomnia, lack of appetite, dizziness, agitation, anxiety and high blood pressure.

Question 10

Atomoxetine

Answer 10

Straterra is a highly selective NE reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine also elevates DA levels in the prefrontal cortex, but not the nucleus accumbens or the striatum. Nucleus accumbens mediates the euphoric properties. It is the only first line medication with no abuse potential, and the only drug approved by the FDA to treat adult ADHD. It is able to improve the working memory of an individual by increasing ACH release from rat brain frontal cortex.

Question 11

Galanatamine

Answer 11

Inhibits AChE, stimulates nicotinic cholinergic neurons to release more stored Ach. All AChE increase risk of stomach ulcers. Alzheimers

Question 12

Rivastigmine

Answer 12

inhibits both Achetylcholinesterase and BuChe (acetylbutylcholine esterase). Is administered twice a day. Leads to more ACH for alzheimers treatment.

Question 13

Tacrine

Answer 13

Inhibits acetylcholineesterase has a short half life, needs to be given multiple times per day, has multiple drug interactions. Alzheimers

Question 14

Memantine

Answer 14

is useful in patients with moderate to severe AD. Its MOA is to antagonize the NMDA subtype of the “glutamate” receptor. It is found to help patients in later states to maintain independence. Common effects are dizziness, headache, constipation, and confusion. Alzheimers test q??

Question 15

Ginko Biloba

Answer 15

Believed to be a neuroprotective agent responsible for preventing neurodegeneration. May be used for alzheimer’s disease with modest benefit. Serious side effects such as bleeding, seizures and coma have occurred.