Question | Answer |
*Neuropharmacology* | The study of drugs that alter processes controlled by the nervous system |
Categories of neuropharmacologic drugs | (1) peripheral nervous system (PNS) drugs and (2) central nervous system (CNS) drugs. |
Which is more complex: CNS or PNS pharmacology? | CNS Pharmacolgy |
Axonal conduction | The process of conducting an action potential down the axon of the neuron. |
Synaptic transmission | The process by which information is carried across the gap between the neuron and the postsynaptic cell. |
1st two steps in synaptic transmission: | Step 1, Synthesis of transmitter (T) from precursor molecules (Q, R, and S). Step 2, Storage of transmitter in vesicles. |
Neuronal activities a drug can alter: | axonal conduction or synaptic transmission |
Most common neuronal activity altered by drugs: | Synaptic transmission |
Which is less selective? A drug altering axonal conduction or synaptic transmission? | A drug altering axonal conduction. |
Drugs affecting axonal conduction include: | Local anesthetics |
Selective drugs | Affect synaptic transmission |
Why is does alteration of synaptic transmission produce highly selective effects? | Why? Because synapses, unlike axons, differ from one another. |
How does a neuropharmacologic drug work? | It affects receptors on target cells. |
Drug Action concept | The impact of a drug on a neuronally regulated process is dependent on the ability of that drug to directly or indirectly influence receptor activity on target cells. |
Steps in synaptic transmission | Step 1: transmitter synthesis. Step 2: transmitter storage. Step 3: transmitter release. Step 4: receptor binding.Step 5: termination of transmission. |
Transmitter can be removed from the synaptic gap by three processes: | (1) reuptake, (2) enzymatic degradation, and (3) diffusion. |
Three different effects that drugs are known to have on transmitter synthesis: | (1) increase transmitter synthesis, (2) decrease transmitter synthesis, or (3) cause the synthesis of transmitter molecules that are more effective than the natural transmitter itself. |
Amphetamines | CNS Stimulant, promotes transmitter release. |
Botulinum toxin | Acts by inhibiting transmitter release. |
agonists | drugs that directly activate receptors (eg. morphine, insulin) |
antagonists | drugs that prevent receptor activation (eg. maloxone, antihistamines, propanolol) |
The principal examples of drugs that bind to receptors and thereby enhance the actions of a natural transmitter are the: | benzodiazepines |
Used to treat anxiety, seizure disorders, and muscle spasm: | benzodiazepines |