Unit 9 Psychopharmacology and Psychopathology Flashcards
What is mechanism of action
It is the molecular mechanism through which a drug acts
What is agonist
A substance that enhances the function of a synapse
What is antagonist
A substance that blocks or diminishes the function of a synapse
What is competitive antagonist
A substance that bind to the same site as the endogenous ligand
What is non-competitive antagonist
A substance that bind to an alternate site and prevents the receptor from activating
What is endogenous
It means produced inside the body
What is exogenous
It arises from outside the body
What is the concept of drug bioavailability
the amount of a drug or other substance that is available to the target tissue after administration
What is drug absorption
the journey of the drug into the bloodstream
What is drug distribution
the journey of the drug from the bloodstream to the target tissue
What it is drug biotransformation
Drug metabolism
What is impacted by the routes of administration of a drug
The speed and efficiency of effects
What is tolerance
drug treatments with a particular drug results in decreasing effects
What is metabolic tolerance
the body becomes more effective at clearing the drug
What is functional tolerance
decreased response to a drug
What are the various ways that a drug can impact synaptic transmission
It either increases or decreases the number of receptors that are present
What are the models of addiction
Moral model
Disease model
Physical dependence model
Positive reward model
What is the reward pathway
The ventral tegmental area releases dopamine neurons
What is the source of cocaine
Alkaloid from cocoa plant
What are the sources of nicotine
Alkaloid from the Tobacco plant
What is a sedative
drugs that diminish brain activity. For therapy and recreation
What are the sources of Benzodiazepines
Synthetic (Lab made)
What is the sources of alcohol
Fermentation or distillation
What are the effects of alcohol
Reduced anxiety, Drowsiness, Lightheadedness, Memory problems, Slurred speech, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Rewarding and reinforcing
What is the sources of opioids
Both natural and synthetic
What are the common symptoms of depression
Depressed mood occurring most of the day, disinterest, Changes in body weight, Changes in sleep patterns, low energy, Agitation, Feelings of worthlessness and guilt, Difficulty thinking, thoughts of suicide
What are the biological risk factors associated with depression
heritability of depression is between 40-50%
Females are also more likely to have depression
What is the link between the hippocampus and depression
Decreased hippocampal volume is associated with depression
What are common treatments used for depression
Pharmacological treatments
ElectroConvulsive shock Therapy (ECT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
What is the monoamine hypotheses of depression
It proposes that depression results from low levels of monoamines. MAOIs and SSRIs act to elevate monoamine levels.
What is a receptor antagonist
A drug that can bind to a receptor but does not activate it is
What is a receptor agonist
A drug that can bind to a receptor and activate it
What is an endogenous ligand
A neurotransmitter receptor
What are the effects of cocaine
Confidence, energy, alertness, euphoria, low appetite, cognitive function, high heart rate, high blood pressure, high respiration
What are the effects of nicotine
Confidence, energy, alertness, euphoria, low appetite, cognitive function, high heart rate, high blood pressure, high respiration
What are the risks with cocaine
Dependence, Hypertension, Stroke, Heart Attack, Pulmonary dysfunction
What is the mechanism of action with cocaine
Blocks DA and NE reuptake which increases their availability to active receptors
How is cocaine administered
Inhalation
How is nicotine administered
Inhalation, mucus of the mouth
What are the risks of nicotine
Dependence, Hypertension, Stroke, Heart Attack, Pulmonary, dysfunction, Cancer
What is nicotines mechanism of action
nAChR agonist
What is an Anxiolytics
drugs that diminish the experience of anxiety
What is the GABAA receptor
is an iontropic GABA receptor that allows the influx of Cl- when activated.
What does activation of GABAA lead too
An IPSP and diminished activity in the post synaptic cell
What are the effects of benzodiazepines
Relaxation, Reduced anxiety, Drowsiness, Lightheadedness, Memory problems, Slurred speech, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Rewarding and reinforcing
What is the Route of administration of benzodiazepines
oral
What is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines
GABAA receptor agonist
What are the risks of benzodiazepines
Dependence, Respiratory depression, overdose particularly with polydrug use, Injury
What are the route of administration of alcohol
Oral
What is the mechanism of action of alcohol
GABAA receptor agonist, Non-competitive glutamate receptor antagonist (NMDA), Increases DA signalling
What are the risks of alcohol
Dependence, Cancer, Cardiovascular disease, Injury
What is the mechanism of action of opioids
Opioid is a receptor agonists and it binds to Endogenous ligands to release endorphins
What are the effects of opioids
Alleviate pain, Euphoria, relaxation, constipation, Suppress cough reflex, Suppress breathing and heart rate, Pupil contraction
What are the routes of administration of opioids
Oral, inhalation, Injection
What are the risks of opioids
Dependence, Respiratory suppression, death
What is a psychedelic drug
Drugs that induce a reality altering experience consisting of hallucinations, sensory distortions, or delusions
What is the source of psychedelic drugs
Psilocybin (mushrooms), Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
What are the effects of psychedelic drugs
Pseudo-hallucinations are most common – particularly visual distortions, Synesthesia, Distorted sense of time, Feeling ‘at one’ with the world around you, Disinhibition, Sometimes anxiety, panic and general sense of menace
What is the route of administration of psychedelic drugs
Oral
What are the mechanisms of action of psychedelic drugs
Most psychedelics are 5-HT2A receptor agonists
What are the risks of psychedelic drugs
Persistent perceptual disorders, Flashbacks, Injury
What is the source of THC
is a cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant
What is the effects of THC
Relaxation, Improved mood, Increased appetite, Reduced pain
What is the route of administration of THC
Oral, inhalation
What is the mechanism of action for THC
Cannabinoid receptor agonist
What are the risks of THC
Dependence, Psychosis, Pulmonary dysfunction
What is a Cannabinoid (CB) receptor
Exists throughout the body and brain. It is important for regulating cognitive processes, mood, hunger, immune function
What is an Anandamide
an endogenous ligand (Neurotransmitter) for the CB receptors.
What is the The neuroplasticity model
suggests that it results from impaired neuroplasticity, particularly in the hippocampus. Chronic stress can diminish the plasticity and health of the hippocampus
What is Electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT)
Involves passing a current through the brain that is strong enough to elicit a seizure
Only for treatment resistant depression
What is Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT aims to direct changes in behavior, thought exercises,
and changes in physical activity
What are Pharmacological treatments for depression
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
