PSYCH 230 Exam 2 Review

Agonists

______ turn ON neurotransmitter system (EPSP or IPSP)

Presynaptic agonists

______________ release neurotransmitters

Postsynaptic agonists

_____________ activate receptors

Antagonists

__________ turn OFF neurotransmitter system

Presynaptic antagonists

___________ prevent release of neurotransmitters

Postsynaptic antagonists

_________ block receptors

Inverse agonists

___________ are postsynaptic, binds to receptors but induces opposite effect of the neurotransmitter

L-DOPA

In Parkinson’s Disease - reduced dopamine levels

• Medication: _______

• _______ is a dopamine precursor

• Give ________ instead of dopamine due to the size of dopamine, and the blood brain barrier

Cocaine

• _______ inhibits reuptake of dopamine by blocking dopamine transporters

  • ______ increases attention, focus, energy - due to increased dopamine

Amphetamine

• _________ blocks and reverses dopamine transporter

• Increases level of dopamine and norepinephrine

• ___________ causes stimulation, euphoria, wakefulness, improved cognitive control

• Treatment of ADHD, narcolepsy

  • Adderall: prescribed combination of ____________ and dextroamphetamine

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)

• _______ block reuptake of serotonin

• Commonly prescribed anti-depressant: Prozac

Examples of Presynaptic Agonists

L-DOPA, cocaine, amphetamine, SSRI’s

Morphine and heroin

___________________ activate postsynaptic opioid receptors

• Mimic our opioid neurotransmitters (endorphins) and “trick” postsynaptic side of the neuron

  • Euphoric, pain relief,

Fentanil

• Synthetic opioid drug

• _________ is 100x more potent than morphine

• Pain reduction, tranquilizer darks

  • Overdose inhibits brainstem breathing circuits

Carfentanil

• ____________ is100x more potent than fentanil

• Synthetic opioid drug

• Elephant tranquilizer

• Pain reduction, tranquilizer darts

• Overdose inhibits brainstem breathing circuits

Benzodiazepines

Some examples of ___________ are Xanax, Valium.

• Sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anti-epileptic, muscle relaxant

• Bind to GABA and facilitate GABA effects (enhances effects)

• General reduction in neural activity