3 Neurotransmitters + Psychopharmacology Flashcards
(34 cards)
Q: What is psychopharmacology?
A: Psychopharmacology is the study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system and behavior.
Q: What are drug effects in psychopharmacology?
A: Drug effects refer to changes produced in physiological processes and behavior, with most drugs affecting synaptic transmission.
Q: What is an antagonist in psychopharmacology?
A: An antagonist is a drug that opposes or inhibits the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell.
Q: What is an agonist in psychopharmacology?
A: An agonist is a drug that facilitates the effects of a neurotransmitter.
Q: What are the main sites of action for drugs in psychopharmacology?
A: The main sites of action for drugs are the production of neurotransmitters, storage and release of neurotransmitters, effects on receptors, and effects on reuptake.
Q: What are the two types of effects on receptors in psychopharmacology?
A: The two types of effects on receptors are direct agonist/antagonist, which binds to and activates or inhibits the receptor directly, and indirect agonist/antagonist, which attaches to a different binding site on the receptor and facilitates its action.
Q: How do drugs affect reuptake or destruction of neurotransmitters?
A: Drugs can block reuptake by attaching to transporter molecules or prevent the enzyme that destroys neurotransmitters from working, thus prolonging the neurotransmitter’s presence in the synapse.
Q: What is a placebo?
A: A placebo is an inert substance given to an organism instead of an active drug, often used as a control in experiments to control for the effects of mere administration.
Q: What are placebo effects and nocebo effects?
A: Placebo effects are beneficial effects that occur due to the mere belief that one is receiving treatment, while nocebo effects are negative effects that occur after an intervention that should have no ill effects.
Q: What are the two effects neurotransmitters can have on the postsynaptic membrane?
A: Neurotransmitters can either cause depolarization (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential - EPSP) or hyperpolarization (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential - IPSP).
Q: What are the main neurotransmitters involved in synaptic communication in the brain?
A: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, while GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glycine are the main inhibitory neurotransmitters.
Q: What is acetylcholine (ACh) and where is it secreted?
A: Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter secreted by efferent axons of the central nervous system (CNS) and plays a role in muscular movement and various brain functions.
Q: What are the effects of acetylcholine generally?
A: The effects of acetylcholine are generally facilitatory, involved in regulating REM sleep, dreaming, perceptual learning, and memory.
Q: Where are the receptors for acetylcholine located?
A: The receptors for acetylcholine include nicotinic receptors (ionotropic) and muscarinic receptors (metabotropic), found at cholinergic synapses.
Q: What are nicotinic receptors and where are they found?
A: Nicotinic receptors are ionotropic acetylcholine receptors stimulated by nicotine. They are found in the postsynaptic membrane of all autonomic ganglia, all neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and some CNS pathways.
Q: What are muscarinic receptors and where are they found?
A: Muscarinic receptors are metabotropic acetylcholine receptors. They are found in the parasympathetic nerves, influencing heart, smooth muscles, and glands. They are stimulated by muscarine and blocked by atropine.
Q: How does atropine affect the action of acetylcholine?
A: Atropine blocks muscarinic receptors, preventing acetylcholine from depolarizing the postsynaptic membrane, and thus increasing heart rate among other effects.
Q: What is botulinum toxin and how does it affect acetylcholine?
A: Botulinum toxin is an acetylcholine antagonist that prevents the release of acetylcholine from presynaptic neurons.
A: Botulinum toxin inhibits neuromuscular transmission, leading to muscle paralysis and potentially causing botulism.
Q: What is black widow spider venom and how does it affect acetylcholine?
A: Black widow spider venom contains a toxin that acts as an acetylcholine agonist, triggering the release of acetylcholine from presynaptic neurons.
A: Black widow spider venom causes excessive release of acetylcholine, leading to symptoms such as muscle spasms, convulsions, and potentially respiratory failure.
Q: What are the main monoamine neurotransmitters?
A: The main monoamine neurotransmitters are dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin.
Q: What is dopamine’s role as a neurotransmitter?
A: Dopamine is involved in the reward pathway, natural rewards such as food, water, sex, and nurturing, and various brain functions including regulating movement and controlling attention.
Q: What is addiction and how is it related to dopamine?
A: Addiction is a state in which an organism engages in compulsive behavior, with dopamine playing a role in reinforcing this behavior and leading to loss of control over limiting intake.
Q: What is the dopamine pathway involved in addiction?
A: The dopamine pathway involved in addiction includes the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area (VTA).
Q: What is tolerance and dependence in the context of dopamine?
A: Tolerance is a state where an organism no longer responds to a drug, while dependence is a state where an organism functions normally only in the presence of the drug, often leading to physical disturbance when the drug is withdrawn.
