exam 2 key terms and concepts Flashcards
AMPA
a compound that is a specific agonist for the AMPA receptor, where it mimics the effects of the neurotransmitter glutamate
- responsible for the bulk of fast excitatory synaptic transmission throughout the CNS and their modulation is the ultimate mechanism that underlies much of the plasticity of excitatory transmission that is expressed in the brain
anxiolytics
a drug used to reduce anxiety
excitatory amino acid nuerotransmitters
an amino acid which is able to transmit a nerve message across a synapse. neurotransmitters are packaged into vesicles that cluster beneath the axon terminal membrane on the presynaptic side of a synapse in a process called endocytosis
GABAergic synapse
GABA is the main neurotransmitter at inhibitory synapses in the mammalian brain. it is essential for maintaining the excitation and inhibition ratio, whose imbalance underlies various brain diseases
glutamate recognition site
glutamatergic synapse
main excitatory synapses in the brain. consist of glutamate localized inside presynaptic vesicles and glutamate receptors on the postsynaptic membrane
glycine site
a therapeutic target for improving cognition and reducing negative symptoms
- glycine is inhibitory
kainate
ionotropic receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter glutamate
- kainate receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission and are localized to the presynaptic and postsynaptic sides of excitatory synapses
metabotropic
also referred to as G-protein-coupled-receptor, a type of membrane receptor that initiates a number of metabolic steps to modulate cell activity.
Mg2+ site
- numerous physiological roles among which are control of neuronal activity, cardiac excitability, neuromuscular transmission, muscular contraction, vasomotor tone, blood pressure and peripheral blood flow
NMDA
a family of L-glutamate receptors, play an important role in learning and memory, and are critical for spatial memory
PCP site
major action is as a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDA class of glutamate receptor
- believed to bind to a site within the channel pore that is only accessible when the channel is open
sedative-hypnotics
classes of drugs used to induce and/or maintain sleep
gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA)
the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. its principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system
- functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter - reduce neuronal excitability by inhibiting nerve transmission
acetaldehyde
organic chemical compound
- when you drink alcohol, your liver turns acetadehyde into an acid. some enters the blood and can damage membranes and cause scar tissue, this is what results in a hangover
baclofen
used to help relax certain muscles in the body
- relieves spasms, cramping, and tightness of meculees
barbiturate site
barbiturates bind to specific GABA sensitive ion channels found within the CNS
- by binding to these sites, barbiturates allow an influx of chloride into cell membranes and subsequently hyperpolarize the postsynaptic neuron
BDZ agonist (diazepam)
anxiolytic and sedative
- works by increasing the levels of calming chemicals in your brain
BDZ antagonist (flumazenil)
GABA receptor antagonist
- it can treat drowsiness caused by sedatives following surgery or drug overdose
BDZ inverse agonist
bind to benzodiazepine receptor site but have reverse effects
benzodiazepine
class of depressant drugs
- produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures
- slow down the central nervous system
bicuclline
light sensitive competitive antagonist of GABA receptors
- induces clonic and tonic-clonic seizures
buspirone
belongs to the anxiolytics class, it works by changing the amount of certain substances in the brain
chloral hydrate
used as a short-term treatment of insomnia. it may also be used to decrease anxiety
- do not take with alcohol or barbiturates, or diazepam