Chapter 8 Nerouvs System (Analgesics, Tranquilizers, Sedatives, and Anesthetics) Flashcards
Analgesics
Drugs used to control pain - reducing the perception of pain without significant loss of other sensations
Pain Pathway
Takes place in the nervous system, involves the transmission of information from a stimulus to perception by the brain
Transduction
Painful stimulus is transformed into an electrical signal mediated by depolarization of a pain receptor
Nociceptor
Pain receptor
Transmission
Impulses from the nociceptors are transmitted to the spinal cord
Modulation (modification)
Sensory depolarization wave is transmitted from the spinal cord toward the brain. At the level of the spinal cord, this wave can be modified (suppressed or enhanced) This can decrease pain perception at the brain level.
Perception
Pain is perceived at the conscious level. GA prevents conscious perception of pain
Hyperalgesia
Occurs when pain receptors are more sensitive and responsive to painful stimuli. Increased sensitivity can result from the influence of inflammatory molecules
Wind-Up
After initial pain impulse dampening is reduced, the pain is more effectively transmitted up the spinal cord to the brain, increasing pain perception. (Increasing success in transmitting pain up the spinal cord)
Hyperesthesia
Increased sensitivity to any stimulus
Opioids
Chemically synthesized drugs with opiate characteristics (most potent analgesics in vet med)
Neuroleptanalgesics
Opioids combined with tranquilizers or sedatives to lessen opioids undesirable effects
Opiates
Extracts from poppy plants
Narcotics
Drugs that cause a state of narcosis
Narcosis
Unconsciousness or stupor
Known opioid receptors in mammals are:
mu (µ), kappa (κ), and delta (δ) receptors
sigma (σ) is sometimes referenced
True or False - Drugs specifically targeting Sigma receptors are often used in vet med
False - these drugs are not used in vet med
Mu (µ) receptors
Found in pain related nerves in the brain and spinal cord - Agonists to these receptors cause profound analgesic effects
Kappa (κ) receptors
Effects of these receptors are milder than Mu (µ) receptors. Some Kappa (κ) agonists are also Mu (µ) receptor agonists, providing a stronger analgesic effect.
Kappa (κ) receptor agonist drugs
Butorphanol, Levorphanol, Pentazocine
Full Mu (µ) Agonist drugs
Morphine, Hydromorphone, Fentanyl
Partial Mu (µ) agonist drugs
Buprenorphine, Butorphanol
Mu (µ)- mediated analgesia occurs when:
A decrease in the release of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin. This blocks or reduces depolarization waves along the pain pathway
Mu (µ) Antagonist Drug
Naloxone - reversal drug for opioid analgesics