Kafli 4 : PsycoPharma

Kafli 4 : PsycoPharma

1. Pharmacokinetics

   • The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed within the body, metabolized, and excreted.
   • Drugs
     • Drug Effect
       • The changes a drug produces in an animal’s physiological processes and behavior.
       • Dose-Response Curve
         • A graph of the magnitude of an effect of a drug as a function of the amount of drug administered.
       • Therapeutic Index
         • The ratio between the dose that produces the desired effect in 50 percent of the animals and the dose that produces toxic effects in 50 percent of the animals.
       • Tolerance
         • A decrease in the effectiveness of a drug that is administered repeatedly.    
       • Sensitization
         • An increase in the effectiveness of a drug that is administered repeatedly.    
       • Withdrawal Symptom
         • The appearance of symptoms opposite to those produced by a drug when the drug is administered repeatedly and then suddenly no longer taken.    
       • Placebo
         • An inert substance that is given to an organism in lieu of a physiologically active drug; used experimentally to control for the effects of mere administration of a drug.    
       • Receptors
         • Binding
           • Antagonist
             • A drug that opposes or inhibits the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell.    
             • Direct Antagonist
               • A synonym for receptor blocker.
               • Receptor Blocker
                 • A drug that binds with a receptor but does not activate it; prevents the natural ligand from binding with the receptor.
             • Indirect Antagonist
               • A drug that attaches to a binding site on a receptor and interferes with the action of the receptor; does not interfere with the binding site for the principal ligand.    
           • Agonist
             • A drug that facilitates the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell.
             • Direct Agonist
               • A drug that binds with and activates a receptor.  
             • Indirect Agonist
               • A drug that attaches to a binding site on a receptor and facilitates the action of the receptor; does not interfere with the binding site for the principal ligand.    
           • Noncompetitive Binding
             • Binding of a drug to a site on a receptor; does not interfere with the binding site for the principal ligand.    
         • Presynaptic Heteroreceptor
           • A receptor located in the membrane of a terminal button that receives input from another terminal button by means of axoaxonic synapse; binds with the neurotransmitter released by the presynaptic terminal button.
     • Molecules
       • Sites of Action
         • The locations at which molecules of drugs interact with molecules located on or in cells of the body, thus affecting some biochemical processes of these cells.
       • Affinity
         • The readiness with which two molecules join together.    
       • Axonal Varicosity
         • An enlarged region along the length of an axon that contains synaptic vesicles and releases a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator.
       • Adenosine
         • A nucleoside; a combination of ribose and adenine; serves as a neuromodulator in the brain.
         • Caffeine
           • A drug that blocks adenosine receptors.
       • Nitric Oxide
         • A gas produced by cells in the nervous system; used as a means of communication between cells.
         • Nitric Oxide Synthase
           • The enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide.
     • Cannabinoid
       • Endocannabinoid
         • A lipid; an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors, which also bind with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
         • THC
           • The active ingredient in marijuana; activates CB1 receptors in the brain.
       • Anandamide
         • The first cannabinoid to be discovered and probably the most important one.
         • FAAH
           • Fatty acid amide hydrolase, the enzyme that destroys anandamide after it is brought back into the cell by anandamide transporters.
           • MAFP
             • A drug that inhibits FAAH; prevents the breakdown of anandamide.
         • AM1172
           • A drug that inhibits the reuptake of anandamide.
       • Rimonabant
         • A drug that blocks CB1 receptors.
   • Neurotransmitters
     • Acetylcholine
       • Acetyl-CoA
         • A cofactor that supplies acetate for synthesis of acetylcholine.
       • Choline Acetyltransferase
         • The enzyme that transfers acetate ion from acetyl coenzyme A to choline, producing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
       • Botulinum Toxin
         • An acetylcholine antagonist; prevents release by terminal buttons.
       • Black Widow Spider Venom
         • A poison produced by the black widow spider that triggers the release of acetylcholine.
       • Neostigmine
         • A drug that inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase.
       • Receptors
         • Nicotinic Receptor
           • An ionotropic acetylcholine receptor that is stimulated by muscarine and blocked by atropine.
           • Curare
             • A drug that blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
         • Muscarinic Receptor
           • A metabotropic acetylcholine receptor that is stimulated by muscarine and blocked by atropine.
           • Atropine
             • A drug that blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
     • Monoamine
       • A class of amines that includes indolamines, such as serotonin; and catecholamines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
       • Reserpine
         • A drug that interferes with the storage of monoamines in synaptic vesicles.
       • Monoamine Oxidase
         • A class of enzymes that destroy the monoamines: dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
     • Catecholamine
       • A class of amines that includes the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
       • Dopamine
         • A neurostransmitter; one of the catecholamines.
         • L-DOPA
           • The levorotatory form of DOPA; the precursor of the catecholamines; often used to treat Parkinson's disease because of its effect as a dopamine agonist.
         • Apomorphine
           • A drug that blocks dopamine autoreceptors at low doses; at higher doses, blocks postsynaptic receptors as well.
         • Methylphenidate
           • A drug that inhibits reuptake of dopamine.
         • Deprenyl
           • A drug that blocks the activity of MAO-B; acts as a dopamine agonist.
         • Chlorpromazine
           • A drug that reduces the symptoms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine D2 receptors.
       • Dopaminergic neurons
         • Nigrostriatal System
           • A system of neurons originating in the substantial nigra and terminating in the neostriatum.
           • Parkinson's Disease
             • A neurological disease characterized by tremors, rigidity of the limbs, poor balance, and difficulty in initiating movements; caused by degeneration of the nigrostriatal system.
         • Mesolimbic System
           • A system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the ventral tegmental area and terminating in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus.
         • Mesocortical System
           • A system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the ventral tegmental area and terminating in the prefrontal cortex.
       • AMPT
         • A drug that blocks the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of the catecholamines.
       • Norepinephrine
         • One of the catecholamines; a neurotransmitter found in the brain and in the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.
         • Fusaric Acid
           • A drug that inhibits the activity of the enzyme dopamine-B-hydroxylase and thus blocks the production of norepinephrine.
         • Moclobemide
           • A drug that blocks the activity of MAO-A; acts as a noradrenergic agonist.
         • Locus Coeruleus
           • A dark-colored group of noradrenergic cell bodies located in the pons near the rostral end of the floor of the fourth ventricle.
         • Idazoxan
           • A drug that blocks presynaptic noradrenergic a2 receptors and hence act as an agonist, facilitating the synthesis and release of NE.
       • Epinephrine
         • One of the catecholamines; a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla; serves also as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
     • Indolamine
       • Serotonin (5-HT)
         • An indolamine neurotransmitter; also called 5-Hydroxytryptamine.
         • PCPA
           • A drug that inhibits the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of 5-HT.
         • Fluoxetine
           • A drug that inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT.
         • Fenfluramine
           • A drug that stimulates the release of 5-HT.
         • LSD
           • A drug that stimulates 5-HT2a receptors.
         • MDMA
           • A drug that serves as a noradrenergic and serotonergic agonist, also known as "ecstasy"; has excitatory and hallucinogenic effects.
     • Histamine
       • A neurotransmitter that plays an important role in stimulating wakefulness.
     • Glutamate
       • An amino acid; the most important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
       • NMDA Receptor
         • A specialized ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a calcium channel that is normally blocked by Mg2+ ions; has several other binding sites.
         • PCP
           • Phencyclidine; a drug that binds with the PCP binding sire of the NMDA receptor and serves as an indirect antagonist.
       • AMPA Receptor
         • An ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a sodium channel; stimulated by AMPA.
       • Kainate Receptor
         • An ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a sodium channel; stimulated by kainic acid.
       • Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor
         • A category of metabotropic receptors that are sensitive to glutamate.
       • AP5
         • A drug that blocks the glutamate binding site on NMDA receptors.
     • GABA
       • An amino acid; the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
       • Allylglycine
         • A drug that inhibits the activity of GAD and thus blocks the synthesis of GABA.
       • Muscimol
         • A direct agonist for the GABA binding site on the GABAa receptor.
       • Bicuculline
         • A direct antagonist for the GABA binding site on the GABAa receptor.
       • Benzodiazepine
         • A category of anxiolytic drugs; an indirect agonist for the GABAa receptor.
         • Anxiolytic
           • An anxiety-reducing effect.
     • Glycine
       • An amino acid; an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the lower brain stem and spinal cord.
       • Strychnine
         • A direct antagonist for the glycine receptor.
     • Opioids
       • Endogenous Opioid
         • A class of peptides secreted by the brain that act as opiates.
         • Enkephalin
           • One of the endogenous opioids.
       • Naloxone
         • A drug that blocks opiate receptors.

2. Injections and Administrations

   • Intravenous Injection
     • Injection of a substance directly into a vein.
   • Intraperitoneal Injection
     • Injection of a substance into the peritoneal cavity—the space that surrounds the stomach, intestines, liver, and other abdominal organs.    
   • Intramuscular Injection
     • Injection of a substance into a muscle.
   • Subcutaneous Injection
     • Injection of a substance into the space beneath the skin.
   • Oral Administration
     • Administration of a substance into the mouth so that it is swallowed.
   • Sublingual Administration
     • Administration of a substance by placing it beneath the tongue.  
   • Intrarectal Administration
     • Administration of a substance into the rectum.
   • Inhalation
     • Administration of a vaporous substance into the lungs. 
   • Topical Administration
     • Administration of a substance directly onto the skin or mucous membrane.
   • Intracerebral Administration
     • Administration of a substance directly into the brain.
   • Intracerebroventricular Administration
     • Administration of a substance into one of the cerebral ventricles.