Opioids Flashcards
(20 cards)
What are the types of opiate receptors? Which one is the most abused and why?
mu (analgesic) most abused, kappa, delta
What is the mechanism of action for the analgesic effect of opioids?
Activtion of nocireceptor neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord by substance P and glutemate causes pain. Opioids regulate the release of these NT’s by binding to the presynaptic side of nocireceptor neurons, decreasing the pain response.
What is neuron A and does it do?
It releases a NT called Substance P ont neuron B as a nociceptive neuron
What is neuron B and what does it do?
Substance P binds from Neuron A onto the interneuron and will depolarize it, causing it to release substance P and glutamate onto neuron C
What is neuron C and what does it do?
Neuron C will become depolarized from Neuron B’s NT’s and fire an action potential to the brain where it reaches the thalamus (the sensory relay center)
What does neuron D activate and what activates it?
Neuron D releases endorphins as its NT’s and is activated by other endorphins or opiates. They activate endorphins on the presynaptic membrane of neuron A, hyperpolarizes it, decreasing the release of substance P.
What are neuron E and F and what do they do?
They originate in the periaquaductal grey, and inhibit pain perception by triggering the release of NE or 5-HT in Neurons E and F which inhibits the release of substance P.
What is the mechanism of action for the euphoric effect of opioids?
Opioids bind to dopaimine releasing neurons, agonizing them, making more dopamine release in the synapse.
Where do opioids come from? (natural and synthetic)
Naturally, morphine and codine they come from the opium poppy plant while all other exogenous opioids are synthetic
What are the types of endogenous opioids?
dyneorphins, enkephylins, and beta-endorphins
What is cross tolerance?
Opioids bind to the same receptors can so there can be tolerance between different opioids as well as sometimes alcohol.
What brain areas do opioids effect?
peraquaductal grey, amygdala, frontal cortex, brain stem, talamus, mesolimbic DA system (nucleus accumbens)
What brain areas are effected by opioids?
periaquaductal grey, amygdala, front cortex, brain stem, thalamus, and the mesolimbic DA system (nucleus acumbens)
Brief History
4000 BC Sumerians, dated since the, earliest 2nd century BC, called the “joy plant”
What are the Acute effects of heroin use?
depresent, euphoria, analgesic, sedation/sleep, decreased blood pressure, nausa/vomiting, decrease REM, cough suppressant, constipation, pupil constriction, decreased sex hormones, death form overdose
What are the Chronic effects of heroin use?
physical and psychological dependance, tolerance, withdrawl, cancer promoter, cross tolerance indirect effects: financial problems, diseases (HIV and hepatitis), 13 times the dealth rate, lifestyle and health, economica and legal, relational impact
Withdrawl effects from opiate use?
tremors, increased heart rate, nausea, delirium, seizures, hallcinations, weakness
medical uses for opioids?
pain relief and cough suppresent
Non-medical uses for opioids?
euphoria, recreatiuonal, spiritual, maybe sleep
What is the opioid epidemic in America?
Pharamcy companies misleading marketing, doctors overprescribing, limited alternatives for chronic pain, move from heroin to more potent fentanyl
