Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Pharmacology II > Drugs of Abuse > Flashcards

Drugs of Abuse Flashcards

(61 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Addiction is characterized by what? (3)

A
  1. Compulsive behavior
  2. Reinforcing behavior (rewarding/pleasurable)
  3. Loss of control
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How do behavioral abnormalities of addiction develop? how long do they last?

A

Develop progressively during repeated exposure

Can persist for months/years after discontinuation of drug

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

3 steps of addiction

A
  1. Repeated exposure which alters gene expression in certain brain areas
  2. Altered expression mediates altered neural function
  3. Result - behavioral changes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which reward pathway does addiction affect?

A

reward pathway

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

MOA of the reward pathway? (areas and neurons involved)

A 
Noradrenergic neurons (locus ceruleus) send info of novelty and arousal to dopaminergic neurons in ventral tegmental area (VTA)
VTA projects to nucleus accumbens (NAc) and cortex
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Multiple inputs modify signaling in the ________ pathway and modulate which perception?

A

Mesolimbic dopamine pathway

Perception of pleasure

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

VTA output is modulated by what? and which functions are these involved in? (3)

A
  1. Glutamatergic input from prefrontal cortex - executive function and cognitive control
  2. Excitatory input from amygdala signals - stress and anxiety
  3. Glutamatergic input from hippocampus - memory
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which receptors are decreased with addiction?

A

Dopamine D2 receptors

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

Do all drugs lead to dependence and are they all addictive?

A

No

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

What is dependence?

A

Development of adaptive responses that lead to symptoms of withdrawal (abstinence syndrome) when drug is discontinued. This drives repeated exposure to avoid withdrawal

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

4 short-term effects of drugs and their withdrawal symptoms?

A
  1. Loss of inhibition - Irritability, tremor
  2. Reduction in anxiety - Anxiety
  3. Sedation - Sleep disturbances
  4. Decreased motor coordination - Seizures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

3 main types of tolerance?

A

Acquired tolerance
Cross-tolerance
Reverse-tolerance

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

3 types of acquired tolerance?

A

Pharmacokinetic tolerance
Pharmacodynamic tolerance
Behavioural tolerance

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

5 types of drugs of abuse

A 
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Cannabinoids
Opioid Analgesics
Sedative-Hypnotics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

3 stimulant drugs?

A

Cocaine
Amphetamines
MDMA

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

Form of administration of cocaine is important in determining what? (3)

A

Intensity of effects
Abuse liability
Toxicity

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

4 types of cocaine administration?

A

Oral
Inhaled
Injected
Smoked

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

Is cocaine addictive? Especially in which form?

A

Yes

smoke-able free-base form (crack)

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

Cocaine mainly blocks what?

2 others mechanisms it blocks and physical effects?

A

Reuptake of monoamines
Blockade of DA reuptake in the CNS related to rewarding effects
Others:
1. Reuptake of norepinephrine in sympathetic nervous system : Increased pressure, tachycardia
2. Blocks sodium channels : arrhythmias

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

4 toxicities of cocaine?

A

Psychosis
CV complications
Hepatotoxicity
Convulsions

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

Cocaine increases _____, ______ and ______

Cocaine decreases _______ by inducing _______. This leads to ______

A

HR, BP, Myocardial oxygen demand
Oxygen supply by inducing coronary vasoconstriction
This leads to Myocardial Ischemia

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

What is the major CV complication observed in cocaine use?

A

Myocardial ischemia

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

Which route of cocaine administration increases plasma concentration the fastest? slowest?

A

IV

Oral

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

Which two cocaine administration cause quick intoxication?

A

IV

Smoked

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How does cocaine affect glucose metabolism? Where in the brain does this mainly happen and which functions are affected?
It decreases glucose metabolism | Frontal lobes - Planning, abstract thinking and impulse behavior regulation
26
3 amphetamine administration forms?
Orally IV Smoked
27
MOA of amphetamines?
Transported like dopamine Transported into cell, inhibits vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) Increases dopamine in presynaptic terminal
28
Physiological actions of amphetamines? (5)
1. Fight-or-flight response 2. Alertness 3. Anxiety, apprehension, panic 4. Potent effects on DA 5. Behavioral stereotypy (meaningless repetition of a single activity)
29
Drug that is structurally similar to amphetamines and DA?
Metamphetamine
30
Is meth addictive? What does it look, smell and taste like?
Yes | White, odorless, bitter tasting crystalline powder
31
Is meth more or less potent than amphetamine? Longer or shorter duration?
More | Longer
32
MOA of meth?
Blocks DA re-uptake and increases DA release
33
MOA of MDMA? (3)
Block 5-HT transporter Causes release of biogenic amines - reverses transporters Long-term depletion of intracellular 5-HT
34
Acute toxic effects of MDMA? (2) | Long-term? (2)
Acute : hyperthermia, dehydration | Long : Neurotoxicity, cognitive impairment
35
What is a syndrome that can occur if combining MDMA with other drugs that increase serotonin levels? What are the many symptoms? (10)
Serotonin syndrome 1. Agitation 2. Diarrhea 3. Fast HR 4. Hallucinations 5. Increased body temp 6. Loss of coordination 7. Nausea 8. Overactive reflexes 9. Rapid changes in BP 10. Vomiting
36
Cannabinoids interact with ____ receptor
CB1
37
MOA of cannabinoids?
Inhibiting release of GABA, which causes disinhibition of dopamine neurons
38
5 effects of cannabinoids?
``` Euphoria Relaxation Increase appetite Prevent nausea Lower intraocular pressure ```
39
How does CB1 distribution change with age?
Decreases
40
Designer Marijuana : Other name for it? What does it contain and their effect? (2)
Spice, K2 Contains synthetic cannabinoids the potently activate CB1 receptors Contains other unknown compounds, constantly changing
41
5 opioid analgesics?
``` Morphine Heroin Oxycodone Meperidine Fentanyl ```
42
Opioids work on which receptor in which region? | What does this do?
u k delta opioid receptors (Gi/o couple GPCR) VTA Activation of u opioid receptors selectively expressed on GABA neurons results in disinhibition of DA neurons and euphoria
43
When opioids act on GABA neurons in the VTA, what the affects on neurotransmission?
Efflux of K+ Hyperpolarization Difficulty of neuron to fire
44
Dependence on opioids leads to which syndrome and what are the symptoms? (7)
Abstinence syndrome | Yawning, sweating, weakness, nausea/vomiting, tremors, muscle jerks
45
How do you treat opioid withdrawal? Why is it more efficient?
Replacement with pharmacological equivalent agent | -Doesn't reach "high" or "withdrawal symptom" levels (peaks arent as fast or as high)
46
What drug precipitates opioid withdrawal and abstinence syndrome?
Naloxone - opioid receptor antagonist
47
Example of a partial agonist in the treatment of addiction?
Buprenorphine
48
What is the MOA of buprenorphine?
Competes with morphine, binds with more affinity on the opioid receptor and decreases cAMP levels. Prevents lower affinity full agonists (morphine) from binding
49
What causes opioid withdrawal symptoms
Large increase in cAMP production following discontinuation of opioid agonist or administration of antagonist
50
3 sedative hypnotics | Do they produce tolerance and/or dependence aka withdrawal symptoms?
Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Ethanol Yes both
51
Sedative hypnotics relieve ____ and ____
stress | anxiety
52
Higher doses of sedative hypnotics produce what state? What is this called
Sleep-like state | Hypnosis
53
5 Hallucinogens
``` LSD Mescaline Psilocybin PCP Ketamine ```
54
Hallucinogens alter _______ and distort ______
Consciousness | Perceptions
55
Hallucinogens are also called ______
psychomimetics
56
Do hallucinogens induce addiction?
No
57
Do hallucinogens stimulate DA release?
No
58
MOA of LSD? | Half-life?
Acts as agonist at 5-HT2A receptors Modulates glutamate-mediated sensory, perceptual, affective and cognitive processes (compete with serotonin, increases glutamate release) Half-life : 2,5-4 hr with inactive metabolites
59
What areas of the CNS does LSD act (2)
Deep cortical layers | Cortical layer V
60
PCP and Ketamine cause _____ state and _____ | Chronic exposure leads to long-lasting ______
Dissociative, hallucinations | Psychosis
61
MOA of PCP and Ketamines?
Bind to NMDA-receptors as non-competitive antagonist | Affects glutamate-mediated cortical neuron signaling

Pharmacology II (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions