Topic 8B - Drugs And Disease Flashcards
1
Q
What does MDMA (ecstasy) do?
A
Increase level of serotonin in the brain
2
Q
Explain the effect of MDMA on levels of serotonin in (5)
A
– Increases serotonin levels
- by inhibiting re-uptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron
- by binding to and blocking the reuptake proteins on presynaptic membrane
- also triggers release of serotonin from pre synaptic neurone
- there4 serotonin stays high causing depolarisation of post synaptic neurone in part of brain which controls mood
3
Q
Explain why L-Dopa is used to treat people with Parkinson’s disease (4)
A
- can reach the brain unlike dopamine
- Converted to dopamine in brain
- Increases dopamine levels in brain
- Parkinson’s disease have low dopamine levels
4
Q
Describe steps that would be taken before a study done on animals is done on humans?(6)
A
- Test on a small sample (for safety)
- Test on large sample (for effectiveness)
- Clinical trials done on larger sample (1000)
- Double studies
- Placebo given
- Samples should be as representative as possible
5
Q
What is Parkinson’s disease?
A
Brain Disorder which affects motor skills
6
Q
Explain the effects of Parkinson’s disease (5)
A
- Neurone in part of brain which controls movement destroyed
- These usually produce dopamine so losing them means lack of dopamine
- Less dopamine released into synaptic cleft so less dopamine able to bind to receptors
- fewer sodium channels open, there4 less likely to depolarise
- fewer action potentials
7
Q
What are the symptoms of parkinsons disease?
A
- shaking and tremors
- Slow movement
8
Q
What are neurotransmitters?
A
Chemical which transmits nerve impulses across synapses
9
Q
What was the link made to depression?
A
Low levels of serotonin
10
Q
What is dopamine?
A
a neurotransmitter which transmits nerve impulse …
