Autonomic NS

Question 1

Where does cranial nerve III lead to?

Answer 1

Eye

Question 2

Where does cranial nerve VII lead to?

Answer 2

Lacrimal glands and salivary glands

Question 3

Where does cranial nerve IX lead to?

Answer 3

Salivary glands

Question 4

Where does cranial nerve X lead to?

Answer 4

Heart
Lungs
Upper GI tract

Question 5

The preganglionic neurone tend to be myelinated or unmyelinated?

Answer 5

Myelinated

Question 6

The postganglionic neurone tends to be myelinated or unmyelinated?

Answer 6

Unmyelinated

Question 7

Where do the parasympathetic neurones usually synapse?

Answer 7

Near the target tissue

Long preganglionic neurone

Question 8

Where do the sympathetic neurones usually synapse?

Answer 8

In the paravertebral chain

Short preganglionic neurones

Question 9

What do we call the transmitters in the ANS that aren’t NA or ACh?

Answer 9

Non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic transmitters (NANC transmitters)

Question 10

What type of muscarinic receptor is present at SAN and AVN?

Answer 10

M2

G alpha i

Question 11

What type of muscarinic receptor is present in the lungs?

Answer 11

M3

G alpha q

Question 12

Penile erection requires the production of which transmitter?

Answer 12

Nitric oxide

Question 13

Which adrenoceptor is present in the SAN and ventricles?

Answer 13

Beta 1

G alpha s

Question 14

Which adrenoceptor is present in the vasculature?

Answer 14

Alpha 1

G alpha q

Question 15

Which adrenoceptor is present in the lungs?

Answer 15

Beta 2

G alpha s

Question 16

What is dysautonomia?

Answer 16

Distinct malfunctions of the ANS
Can be primary or secondary
We can use prenatal diagnosis to detect

Question 17

What is pheochromocytoma?

Answer 17

Cancerous growth of Chromaffin cells
Produces adrenaline/NA
Body goes into sympathetic overdrive eg. Tachycardia, sweating

Question 18

What are the most common sites of drug action in the ANS?

Answer 18

Degradation of transmitter
Interaction with post-synaptic receptors
Inactivation of transmitter
Reuptake of transmitter
Interaction with pre-synaptic receptors

Question 19

Describe the formation of acetylcholine

Answer 19

Acetyl CoA and choline
React with choline acetyltransferase
Produces acetylcholine and coenzyme A

Question 20

Describe the breakdown of ACh

Answer 20

Acetylcholine broken down by acetylcholinesterase

Forms acetate and choline

Question 21

When is trimethaphan used?

Answer 21

Hypertensive emergencies or to produce hypotension in surgery
(Blocks nAChR at ganglia - has many side effects)

Question 22

What can acetylcholinesterase inhibitors be used to treat?

Answer 22

Myasthenia gravis

Alzheimer’s

Question 23

What is Sludge syndrome?

Answer 23

Massive discharge of parasympathetic NS
Can be due to drug overdose or nerve gases
Salivation, lacrimal in, urination, defecation, GI upset and emesis

Question 24

What can muscarinic agonists be used for?

Answer 24

Treat glaucoma

Stimulate bladder emptying

Question 25

What can we treat with muscarinic antagonists?

Answer 25

Asthma
COPD
Overactive bladder

Question 26

Which enzyme converts dopamine to NA?

Answer 26

Dopamine beta hydroxylase

Question 27

How is NA action terminated?

Answer 27

Uptake 1 - Na+ dependent, high affinity

Uptake 2 - lower affinity

Question 28

Which enzymes metabolise NA?

Answer 28

MAO = mono amine oxidase

COMT

Question 29

How can alpha 2 adrenoceptors reduce neurotransmitter release?

Answer 29

NA binds to GCPR (G alpha i) 
Beta-gamma subunit binds to VOCCs
Inhibits VOCCs
Reduces calcium influx
Reduces neurotransmitter release (exocytosis)

Question 30

What is carvedilol?

Answer 30

A mixed beta 1/beta 2/alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonist

Useful for chronic heart failure