Neurotransmitters and Psychotropics

Acetylcholine (function)

Memory retention

Movement

Acetylcholine is significant in the transmission that occurs at the junctions of…

Nerves and Muscles

What diseases have low levels of Acetylcholine?

Parkinson’s

Alzheimers

Donepezil (Aricept) is used to treat symptoms of dementia in people with Alzheimers. What neurotransmitter does this drug relate to?

Acetylcholine

Donepezil is a acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, meaning it blocks the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. What is the effect of this?

Increases the amount of acetylcholine

Norepinephrine, Dopamine, and Serotonin are all…

Monoamines

Norepinephrine, think..

Fight or Flight

Functions of Norepinephrine

mood, cognition, perception, CV, SLEEP

Implicated mood disorders of norephinephrine

Depression (decreased) & mania

Anxiety (increased)

Schizophrenia

Duloxetine is an SNRI, meaning it impacts the neurotransmitters…

Serotonin

Norephinphrine

SNRI stands for

Serotonin-norephinephrin reuptake inhibitors

As an SNRI, Duloxetine ____ the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain

Increases

Considering the MOA of duloxetine as an SNRI, what conditions is it used to treat?

Major depressive disorder (low serotonin and norepinephrine)

Fibromyalgia (pain)

Dopamine (function)

Movement, coordination, emotions, VOLUNTARY DECISION MAKING, reward (pleasure)

What are increased levels of dopamine associated with?

Schizophrenia

What are decreased levels of dopamine associated with?

Parkinsons

Considering the drug Haloperidol, its action is to block dopamine receptors in the brain. What disorder would this be used to treat?

Schizophrenia (increase in dopamine)

Serotonin think…

MOOD

Functions of Serotonin

SLEEP, arousal, LIBIDO, appetite, mood, aggression, PAIN perception

What conditions have implications related to serotonin?

Anxiety

Mood disorders

Schizophrenia

The drug Fluoxetine is an SSRI meaning it causes _____ levels of serotonin

Increased

Considering the mechanism of action of Fluoxetine as an SSRI, for what conditions may it be prescribed?

(LOW SEROTONIN)

Depression

Anxiety

OCD

GABA think…

CALM

Prevents postsynaptic EXCITATION

GABA

What disorders has GABA been implicated in?

ANXIETY disorders

movement

epilepsy

Considering the action of lorazepam (ativan) as a benzodiazapine, what neurotransmitter does it target?

GABA

Considering the neurotransmitter that lorazepam, a benzo, targets, what conditions would it be perscribed for?

ANXIETY

What is the mechanism of action of lorazepam, a benzodizepine?

Enhances the effects of GABA

What is the result of lorazepam, a benzodiazepine?

Sedation

Excess dopamine leads to..

disorganized thought patterns

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Deficient dopamine leads to

Parkinsons

Serotonin imbalances lead to…

Depression

Eating disorders

Sleep disturbances

OCD

Decreased Norepinephrine and serotonin lead to

Depression