Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

PHAR300 > L8 Ethanol > Flashcards

L8 Ethanol Flashcards

1
Q

What does ethanol act on?

A

CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the general effects of ethanol?

A

general depressant of CNS

anxiety relief (at low doses)
disinhibition
sedation
hypnosis (sleepiness)
general anesthesia (passing out)
coma
death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the 5 concepts of CNS depressants

A
  1. additive effects when combined
  2. can’t be reversed using CNS stimulants
  3. not totally general (varying effects on different people)
  4. chronic use leads to rebound excitation upon stopping
  5. result in some degree of tolerance, frequent cross-tolerance

ARGET (additive, stimulants, general, excitation, tolerance)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is rebound excitation and why does it occur

A

rebound excitation is when a neuron becomes more excitable and fires action potentials at a higher rate than its baseline level following a period of inhibition.

It occurs when inhibitory inputs to a neuron are removed or reduced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are some consequences of alcohol consumption

A

Emotional changes
Impaired judgement
Impaired motor skills
Impaired involuntary system
Passing out
death
amnesia
*impaired brain activity in memory/learning tests

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is disinhibition

A

brief excitation due to depression in inhibitory pathways (inhibiting inhibition)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the difference between partial amnesia and total amnesia

A

partial = fragmentary loss of memory, universal and dose-related
total (blackout) = total loss of memory, susceptibility varies per person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

At what blood alcohol concentration does alcohol consumption start showing effects

A

0.03-0.05% (emotional changes)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

On which parts of the brain can ethanol act on?

A

cortex (judgement)
hippocampus (memory)
cerebellum (coordination)
other (vision, movement, sensation, reward pathway)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which receptors and ion channels does ethanol act on

A

Na, K, Ca ion channels
5HT (serotonin) and ACh receptors
GABA, glycine (inhibitory)
glutamate (excitatory)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe GABA_A receptors

A

1) inhibitory receptor + chloride ion channel made up of 5 constituents (main inhibitory receptor of the brain)
2) prominent in CNS
3) varying types
4) causes Cl- influx which has inhibitory potential
5) inducible by ethanol
6) extrasynaptic and synaptic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

TF: ethanol has presynaptic and postsynaptic effects?

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What happens when ethanol binds to a postsynaptic receptor?

A

Cl ion channels open and causes influx of Cl into postsynaptic neuron resulting in GABAminergic inhibition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How many binding sides are there for ethanol on GABA_A alpha subunits

A

3 (usually 2 for normal GABA)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Which is the main receptor activated by ethanol

A

GABA-A alpha-beta-gamma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

TF: ethanol causes the release of glycine

A

True

acts pre-synaptically to release glycine, which acts on post-synaptic glycine receptors to cause inhibition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the effect of ethanol on NMDA receptors

A

ethanol blocks NMDA receptors (that release glutamate which is excitatory)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the effect of chronic ethanol use on glutamate receptors

A

the CNS will produce excess glutamate receptors to increase excitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Summarize which neurotransmitters are affected by ethanol and how

A

1) glutamate releasing receptors are blocked (decrease excitation)
2) GABA and glycine receptors are activated (GABA can further activate glycine release) - (increase inhibition)
3) ACh and 5HT release is lowered
4) dopamine and opiate neuropeptide release is facilitated
5) voltage-gated Ca2+ ion channels are blocked (decreased neurotransmission)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Decrease in 5HT causes what in alcohol users?

A

impulsiveness and aggression

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Decrease in ACh causes what in alcohol users?

A

cognitive impairment and amnesia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

TF: ethanol acts on the dopamine-reward pathway

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What makes ethanol addictive?

A

lowers GABA inhibition of dopaminergic neurons in VTA of brain (still being researched)
Endorphin released by ethanol acts on opiate receptors which are linked to dependence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe properties of ethanol that affect its absorption

A

small, lipid-soluble

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Describe the absorption of ethanol

A

1) rapid detection in blood and brain
2) 30-90 min after consumption = peak
3) absorbed in stomach (less absorption in the presence of food) but mostly absorbed in small intestine
4) peak blood level higher on an empty stomach
5) carbonation increases absorption rate
6) some alcohol is broken down in stomach by alcohol dehydrogenase in gastric mucosa
7) can cause gastritis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Where is ethanol distributed

A

in total body water (it goes everywhere due to being small and lipid-soluble)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

TF: the apparent volume of distribution (AVD) of ethanol is equal to total body water

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is apparent volume of distribution

A

the amount of drug in body/concentration of drug in circulation

29
Q

TF: ethanol concentration in the body of a female and a male of the same size will be the same when consuming the same amount of alcohol

A

False

woman have higher total body water resulting in higher concentration of drug in body

30
Q

TF: women have lower thresholds of alcohol intoxication than men

A

true

31
Q

TF: alcohol can pass the blood-brain barrier

A

True!

32
Q

TF: alcohol does not trigger the CTZ

A

false

alcohol causes nausea and vomiting

33
Q

What is the drug metabolism order for alcohol at low doses? and high doses?

A

first order (directly proportional) for low doses
zero order for high doses

34
Q

What order of drug metabolism occurs when binge drinking?

A

zero order (due to high blood alcohol concentrations)

35
Q

Describe the 2 step metabolism of alcohol

A

step 1: ethanol -> acetaldehyde
- liver and gastric mucosa
- enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (higher in males)
- enzyme has polymorphisms (variability due to genes)

step 2: acetaldehyde -> acetate (-> water + CO2)
- enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase

36
Q

Why are asians less tolerant to drinking?

A

genetic variation causing a less active form of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase resulting in increased acetaldehyde (toxic) which causes flushing, nausea, vomiting, etc.

37
Q

Which enzymes can metabolize ethanol?

A

alcohol dehydrogenase
CYP450 enzymes (CYP2E1)

38
Q

TF: alcohol can be eliminated through direct elimination

A

True

elimination can occur through breath, sweat, and urine
it is dose-dependent

39
Q

What are the effects of alcohol on kidney function

A

alcohol blocks water reabsorption by inhibiting ADH hormone (resulting in increase diuresis)

anti anti-diuretic = diuretic

40
Q

What does it mean when a therapeutic index value is of 4?

A

that means that the lethal level/recreational level = 4, meaning that the lethal level is only 4 times greater than the recreational level

e.g. benzodiazepine therapeutic index is of 500

41
Q

What is a teratogen

A

substance that causes congenital abnormalities or birth defects in a developing fetus

42
Q

TF: alcohol is a teratogen

A

True

43
Q

How can alcohol reach the fetus?

A

it passes through the placenta

44
Q

what are effects of fetal alcohol syndrome

A

damage to CNS, heart, deformities, irreversible neuronal destruction particularly in the hypothalamus, mental retardation

45
Q

which organs are most vulnerable to alcohol

A

liver and brain

46
Q

what is it called when the liver is permanently scarred and damaged

A

cirrhosis

47
Q

TF: liver damage impedes on blood flow

A

true

48
Q

what are some cardiovascular consequences of alcohol consumption

A

arrythmia, hypertension, stroke, cardiomyopathy

49
Q

what is neurodegeneration due to alcohol abuse potentiated by

A

vitamin b deficiency

50
Q

TF: alcohol abuse can cause pancreastitis

A

true

51
Q

TF: brain damage from alcohol abuse is reversible

A

false

52
Q

TF: alcohol is a carcinogen

A

true

e.g. esophageal cancer

53
Q

what is the predominant aldehyde for ethanol-derived acetaldehyde and what does it cause

A

ALDH2

mitochondrial damage, DNA damage, other cellular components damage

54
Q

In what ways does alcohol affect:
1. liver
2. pancreas

A

liver: cirrhosis, fat accumulation - fatty liver, hepatitis (liver inflammation) which leads to fibrosis (scar tissue accumulation)

pancreas: pancreatitis (inflammation)

55
Q

what can cirrhosis lead to

A

fluid leakage to the abdomen (ascites)

56
Q

what is hepatic encephalopathy and what is it caused by

A

impaired blood flow to liver = non-detoxified blood flows to brain (alcohol in blood) = brain damage

caused by necrosis of liver (tissue death) = impaired metabolism & cirrhosis (portal vein impairment)

57
Q

What is the role of the portal vein

A

Its primary role is to transport blood from the digestive organs to the liver, where it undergoes extensive processing and filtration.

58
Q

What happens during acute tolerance for ethanol

A

brain counters CNS depression by increasing excitation -hyperexcitable phase

59
Q

Why is chronic tolerance to ethanol dangerous

A

rebound excitation as a consequence of withdrawal which can be fatal due to its intensity

60
Q

What are symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

A

anxiety, insomnia, tremor, palpitations, nausea, anorexia, seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens

61
Q

Which neuronal systems (neurotransmitters) does ethanol have an effect on and what kinds of effects

A

GABA and glutamate (inhibitory and excitatory)

enhance GABA, inhibit glutamate (enhance inhibition, decrease excitation)

62
Q

This increase in excitation due to alcohol is due to what?

A

increase in glutamate receptors and increase in glutamate levels in presynaptic terminal (increase binding chance)

63
Q

TF: ethanol binds to NMDA receptors which are GABA receptors

A

False, NMDA receptors are glutamate receptors (though true that ethanol binds to NMDA receptors)

64
Q

What kind of tolerance is receptor upregulation? (pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic)

A

pharmacodynamic

65
Q

TF: intensity of withdrawal reaction is directly proportional to the amount the person was drinking every day

A

true

66
Q

TF: acute withdrawal of alcohol is treated with CNS stimulants

A

False, treated with CNS depressants

67
Q

What does Disulfiram do? What is it used for?

A

it blocks acetaldehyde dehydrogenase thus causing acetaldehyde accumulation resulting in unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting and headaches

it used to help people stop drinking

recall: ethanol -> acetaldehyde -> acetate (-> water + CO2)

alcohol dehydrogenase, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase

68
Q

what are some possible treatments for alcoholics?

A

disulfiram
NMDA receptor antagonists
opioid receptor antagonist

69
Q

TF: alcoholism is in major part due to genetics

A

false, it is largely environmental

PHAR300 (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions