SECTION 1 Flashcards
Name the transporters of glutamate
EAAT(1-5) is the transporter on the membranes of neurons and glia
vGlut is the vesicular transporter
Name the transporters of GABA and glycine
GAT(1-4) is the transporter on the neuronal membrane
Glycine is taken up from the synapse by GlyT(1 or 2)
VIAAT transports both GABA and glycine into vesicles
Name antagonists of the following receptors:
AMPA, Kainate and NMDA
antagonist of AMPA and Kainate –> CNQX
NMDA is blocked by AP5
Name an agonist and antagonist of the GABAa receptor
agonist –> Muscimol
antagonist –> Bicuculline
What effect do Benzodiazepines have on the GABAa receptor?
they are positive allosteric modulators of the receptor. Used to treat anxiety, insomnia and as sedatives.
Name an antagonist of the Glycine receptor
Strychnine
List the chief symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease
Suppression of Voluntary Movement - Hypokinesia
Tremor at rest
Muscle Rigidity
Cognitive Impairment
List possible factors that could lead to Parkinson’s Disease
Head Trauma
Viral Attack
Chemical Agents e.g. MPTP, a toxic opioid metabolite used as a recreational drug
What are the effects of the release of Dopamine by the Substantia NIgra in the Nigrostriatal Pathway
Dopamine acts on D1 receptors in the Striatum to turn up the Direct Pathway
DA also acts on D2 receptors in the Striatum to turn down the Indirect Pathway.
What is the purpose of the Direct and Indirect Pathway?
Direct Pathway facilitates the initiation of movement
Indirect Pathway prevents unnecessary movement
Name the five Dopamine Pathways in the CNS
Nigrostriatal Pathway Mesolimbic Pathway Mesocortical Pathway Tuberoinfundibular (aka Median Eminence to Anterior Pituitary) Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone
Outline the steps involved in Dopamine Synthesis
Tyrosine –> L-DOPA –> Dopamine
Name the enzyme responsible for converting L-DOPA to Dopamine
DOPA Decarboxylase
What are the classes of Dopamine Receptors?
D1 (includes D5) - Gs coupled
D2 (includes D3 and D4) - Gi coupled
What are the effects of Acetylcholine on the Direct and Indirect Pathways
Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons inhibit neurons involved in the Direct Loop while they excite neurons in the Indirect Loop.
Name the pharmacological treatments of Parkinson’s Disease
L-DOPA, Carbidopa, Selegiline, Bromocrpitine, Apomorphine, Domperidone, Amantadine
What are the effects of L-DOPA in the CNS and the periphery?
In the CNS it is converted to dopamine by dopaminergic neurons which goes to activate D1 and D2 receptors. In the periphery, it also is converted to DA, causing nausea (activation of the CTZ) and causes postural hypotension
What is the effect of Carbidopa?
It’s a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor in the periphery. the enzyme that converts L-DOPA to Dopamine. Carbidopa is given as an adjunct with L-DOPA
What are the effects of Selegiline?
Selegiline is a selective MOAB inhibitor and is able to cross the BBB so it prolongs the effects of DA In the CNS
Name the Dopamine receptor agonists used to treat Parkinson’s and outline their effects
Bromocriptine - selective D2 receptor agonist in the CNS so turns up the Indirect pathway
Apomorphine - a non-selective D1 and D2 agonist in the CNS it’s useful when L-DOPA has a reduced effect.
What is the effect of Domperidone? What is it usually administered with?
it is a selective D2 receptor antagonist in the periphery (can’t cross the BBB). it is a particularly useful anti-emetic(blocking the D2 receptors of CTZ) so is given with Apomorphine
List the 5 possible symptomatic causes of epilepsy
Cerebrovascular lesions Perinatal or Postnatal trauma CNS infections Tumours Congenital malformation of the CNS
What are the two main classes of epileptic seizures?
Partial seizures - local electrical discharge in one brain area
Primary Generalized - widespread discharge involving both hemispheres
What are the subtypes of Partial Seizures in Epilepsy?
Simple Partial - consciousness is preserved
Complex Partial - consciousness is altered so person has no recollection of the event
Both types can escalate to a Secondary Generalized
