Neurotransmitters and drugs Flashcards Preview

2nd Year: Brain and Behaviour > Neurotransmitters and drugs > Flashcards

Flashcards in Neurotransmitters and drugs Deck (25)
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1
Q

Define neuropharmacology.

A

The study of neuronal change due to drug use.

2
Q

Define psychopharmacology.

A

The study of behavioural changes that result from drug use.

3
Q

What is GABA?

A

The main excitatory neurotransmitter.

4
Q

GABA can elicit fast and slow responses from neurons depending on which receptors are activated. Which receptors produce a) fast and b) slow responses?

A

a) AMPA

b) NMDA

5
Q

What 3 things is the NMDA receptor heavily involved in?

A
  1. Wind-up
  2. Memory
  3. Cognition
6
Q

What happens if NMDA receptors are blocked?

A

It results in memory loss and cognition issues.

7
Q

NMDA receptors are only post-synaptic. True or false?

A

False - they are mostly post-synaptic but can also be pre-synaptic.

8
Q

NMDA receptors are only found in the brain. True or false?

A

False, they are widely distributed around the body.

9
Q

What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter?

A

Glutamate.

10
Q

All neurons produce many neurotransmitters simultaneously. They always produce both GABA and glutamate together. True or false?

A

False - neurons do produce many neurotransmitters simultaneously but never GABA and glutamate together.

11
Q

Neurons only respond to either GABA or glutamate. True or false?

A

False - all neurons respond to both.

12
Q

If a drug is an agonist, what does that mean?

A

It mimics a neurotransmitter, thus increasing the effects of that neurotransmitter.

13
Q

If a drug is an antagonist, what does that mean?

A

It blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter, thus reducing its effects.

14
Q

Ketamine is a loss potent derivative of PCP (phencyclidine). What is it used for in higher doses?

A

A tranquiliser in horses.

15
Q

Ketamine is used recreationally at lower doses. What effects does it produce?

A

Dissociative.

16
Q

Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist. What effect does it have on GABA?

A

It blocks NMDA receptors, thus reducing the effects of GABA.

17
Q

Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist. What physiological effects does this produce? Give 4 examples.

A

It reduces:

  • Pain
  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Slow rhythms
18
Q

Define a dissociative.

A

A class of hallucinogen that distort perceptions of sight and sound as well as providing a sense of detachment.

19
Q

What 2 factors do the effects of a drug depend on?

A
  1. Its concentration

2. The sensitivity of the target neurons

20
Q

What is the predominant reason why drugs induce physiological effects?

A

They disrupt synaptic transmission.

21
Q

Give some examples of how drugs can affect synaptic transmission.

A
  1. They can serve as NT precursors
  2. They can prevent the storage of NTs
  3. They can cause the release or block the re-uptake of NTs
  4. They can block or stimulate receptors
  5. They can inactivate key enzymes
22
Q

Drugs always have the same effect regardless of concentration. True or false?

A

False, drugs can have varying effects depending on their concentrations, e.g. alcohol.

23
Q

How does LSD act in the brain?

A

It is an agonist of serotonin receptors, thus increasing the effects of serotonin.

24
Q

What does MDMA do to serotonin?

A

Increases synaptic levels of serotonin.

25
Q

What was MDMA originally developed as?

A

An appetite inhibitor.