Principles of Psychopharmacology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the principles of psychopharmacology, including drug interactions, administration routes, and effects on the nervous system.

Psychopharmacology

The study of the ways drugs affect the nervous system and behavior.

Psychoactive drugs

Chemical substances that change the function of the nervous system and result in alterations of perception, mood, cognition, and behavior.

Routes of drug administration

Different methods of delivering drugs into the body, including oral, intravenous, inhalation, and more.

Intracerebral administration

Injecting a drug directly into the brain, allowing it to act quickly in low doses.

Oral administration

Taking drugs by mouth; the safest and easiest way to administer drugs.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

A selective barrier formed by tight junctions in the brain's capillary walls that restricts most substances from entering the brain.

Area postrema

A weak point near the medulla where the BBB is less effective, detecting toxic substances.

Cytochrome P450

Enzymes in the liver involved in the catabolism of drugs.

Direct agonist

A drug that binds to and activates a receptor, enhancing the action of the endogenous neurotransmitter.

Direct antagonist

A drug that binds to a receptor but does not activate it, preventing the action of the endogenous neurotransmitter.

GABAergic

Referring to drugs that influence the GABA neurotransmitter system.

Tolerance

A decreased response to a drug with repeated exposure.

Sensitization

Increased responsiveness to successive equal doses of a drug.

Cannabinoids

Chemicals that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body, including THC and CBD.

Opioids

Any compound that binds to opioid receptors, producing effects similar to morphine.

Dopaminergic

Referring to drugs that influence the dopamine neurotransmitter system.

Serotonergic

Referring to drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system.

Neurodegenerative Disorders

Disorders associated with the degeneration of nervous tissue, often leading to cognitive and functional decline.

Parkinson's Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by degeneration of the substantia nigra and loss of dopamine.

Alzheimer's Disease

A form of dementia that primarily affects older adults, leading to cognitive decline and memory loss.

Anticonvulsant medications

Drugs used to inhibit the discharge of abnormal neurons to control seizures.

Euphoria

A feeling of intense excitement and happiness, often associated with drug use.

Withdrawal symptoms

Physical and psychological symptoms experienced upon the reduction or cessation of drug use.

Intramuscular (IM) injection

A method of administering drugs into the muscle, encountering more barriers than intravenous injection.

Injection into the bloodstream

Administering drugs directly into the blood for rapid effect.

Excretion of drugs

The process of removing drugs from the body, often through urine or feces.

Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Disorders characterized by significant disturbances in cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

Ischemic Stroke

A type of stroke caused by a blockage in blood flow to the brain.

Opiate

A natural or synthetic drug that has effects similar to morphine.

Psychotropic medications

Drugs that affect mood, perception, or behavior.

Dendritic growth

The increase in the branching of neurons' dendrites, often in response to drug exposure.