Topic 6 Flashcards
What is psychopharmacology?
The study of how drugs affect the nervous system and behaviour
What are drugs?
Chemical compounds that are administered to produce a desired change
What are psychoactive drugs?
Substances that alter old, thought, experience or behaviour
- act on the nervous system
- manage neuropsychological illnesses or recreation
Roots of administration (4)
- Oral
- Injection
- Inhalation
- Absorption
Oral administration
Absorbed into the blood stream through small intestine or stomach (less common but faster)
Pros
- easy
- safe
Cons
- unpredictable effects of absorption
- “first pass effect”
First pass effect
The liver detoxifies the blood so drug symptoms may not be noticeable the first time and tolerance continues to build as the drug is taken more
Injection
Subcutaneous - fatty tissue below skin
Intramuscular - large muscles
Intravenous - directly into bloodstream via veins (fewest barriers)
Intracerebroventricular - directly into brain
Pros
- fast strong and predictable effects
Cons
- no way to counteract or stop once injected
- formation of scar tissue
- not sterile
Inhalation
Absorbed into blood stream via capillaries
Cons
- difficult to control dosage
- damage to lungs
Absorption
Mucous membrane - nasal, spray, rectal
Skin patch
Pros
- rapid effect
- avoid first pass effect
Cons
- damage the membrane
What is the blood brain barrier
Capillaries in the brain form tight junctions covered with astrocyte feet
- prevents materials from moving in and out
- small uncharged molecules pass through
- other molecules are carried through active transport
- large charged particles cannot pass through
Parkinson’s disease (treatment)
Movement disorder due to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra
Symptoms
- tremors
- muscle rigidity
- slow movement
Treatment
- L-Dopa crosses the BBB and is converted to dopamine after
Drug effects on the synapse
Agonist - enhances function of synapse
Antagonist - blocks function of the synapse
Endogenous - originates in the organism
Exogenous - originates out of the organism
Drug names (3)
Chemical name - describes chemical structure
Generic name - non proprietary name
Trade name - brand name
Adenosinergic
Promotes sleep
Caffeine - antagonist
- makes glucose more available
- promotes dopamine and acetylcholine
Cholinergic
Nicotine - leaves of tobacco plant
Low dose - stimulant
High dose - dampens activity
Stimulates nACH receptors and the release of
- norepinephrine
- serotonin
- endorphins
- dopamine
Antagonists treat Alzheimer’s
