Drugs and behavior test 1

Pharmacokinetics

The movement of drugs through the body.

Absorption

The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream.

Distribution

The movement of a drug throughout the body via the bloodstream.

Metabolism

The process of breaking down a drug in the body.

Elimination

The process of removing a drug from the body.

Routes of Drug Absorption

The different ways drugs can enter the body, such as oral, rectal, and parenteral routes.

Oral absorption

Drug intake by mouth; examples include pills and cough syrup.

Rectal absorption

Drug intake via the rectum; commonly in the form of suppositories.

Intravenous (IV)

Injection directly into a vein, fastest way to get a drug into the bloodstream.

Intramuscular (IM)

Injection directly into the muscle.

Subcutaneous (SubQ)

Injection below the skin, into the fat layer.

Mucous Membrane Absorption

Absorption through tissue in areas like the nose and mouth.

Hepatic Biodegradation

The liver breaking down a drug or chemical.

Biotransformation

The process of transforming a drug into another substance.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical substances that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Agonists

Drugs that enhance the function of a neurotransmitter.

Antagonists

Drugs that decrease the function of a neurotransmitter.

Drug Dependence

A condition in which a person feels a compulsion to use a drug.

Toxicity

The degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals.

Controlled Substances

Drugs that are regulated by the government due to their potential for abuse.

Inhalation

taking drugs through smoke/vapor by breathing them into the lungs. This method allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream and hits the brain the fastest

transdermal

absorption through the skin. this method is slow

fastest entry through the bloodstream

is achieved through intravenous (IV)

Fastest delivery to the brain (psychological effects):

is achieved by inhalation

slowest routes of administration?

are oral and transdermal methods that take longer to reach the bloodstream.

role of the bloodstream

Carries drugs, to organs, to tissues, to the brain

the heart chambers consist of

right and left atrium, and right and left ventricle that pump blood to and from the lungs and body.

Arteries

carry blood away from the heart to various parts of the body.

Veins

carry blood toward the heart from various parts of the body.

Where does blood from the body go?

into the right atrium of the heart to the right ventricle and then to the lungs for oxygenation.

deoxygenated blood is

sent to the lungs

Oxygenated blood returns to the

The left atrium of the heart to the left ventricle from the lungs.

Oxygenated blood is

pumped out to the body

Blood enters the brain via the

carotid arteries

Blood exits the brain via the

jugular veins

Which organs are involved in drug metabolism?

primarily the liver

Which organs are involved in drug excretion?

primarily the kidneys

What is drug half-life?

The time it takes for a drug’s concentration in the body to decrease by 50%.

How many half-lives does it take for a drug to reach 25% concentration?

It takes two half-lives for a drug to reach 25% of its initial concentration.

What five drugs are commonly screened for in standard drug tests?

THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP.

How do urine and hair drug tests differ?

Urine tests detect recent drug use, while hair tests can identify drug use over a longer period, typically up to 90 days.

What factors affect drug metabolism?

Genetics, age, sex, body fat, liver function, environment, and other drugs.

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

The brain and spinal cord

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

To prepare the body for "fight or flight" responses, increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and inhibiting non-essential functions.

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

To promote the "rest and digest" response, decreasing heart rate, constricting pupils, and stimulating digestive functions.

Frontal lobe

planning and decision making, regulating emotions, and problem-solving.

Parietal

sensory processing

Temporal lobe

Involved in memory, auditory processing, and language comprehension

Occipital

involved in visual processing and perception

Amygdala

Plays a major role in fear, threat detection, and emotional processing. Involved in emotional memory (especially fear-related memories)

Hippocampus

Responsible for learning and forming new memories, works closely with the temporal lobe, and damage can impair new memory formation.

Basal Ganglia

Controls voluntary motor movement and is crucial for movement accuracy and coordination; dysfunction is linked to movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease).

Thalamus

Acts as a sensory and motor relay station. Sensory information from the body goes to the thalamus before being sent to the cortex

Hypothalamus

Located below the thalamus, it regulates body temperature, eating, and drinking.

Pituitary Gland

The "master gland" that releases hormones and works closely with the hypothalamus.

Midbrain

Involved in arousal, movement, and sensory processing

Reticular Formation / Reticular Activating System (RAS)

.Regulates alertness and arousal and affects adrenaline levels

Substantia Nigra

Produces dopamine, and its Degeneration is associated with Parkinson’s disease

Periaqueductal Gray (PAG)

Key role in pain management; the brain releases endorphins and enkephalins to reduce pain perception.

Opiates (e.g., heroin) mimic endorphins to relieve pain

Locus Coeruleus

Group of cells in the reticular formation. It releases norepinephrine and is involved in arousal, attention, and stress.

hindbrain structure

Raphe Nucleus

Releases serotonin

Drugs affecting serotonin:

• LSD

• Psilocybin

Cerebellum

Controls balance, coordination, and fine motor movement

• Alcohol significantly affects cerebellar function

Pons

Plays a role in respiratory control and Works in conjunction with the medulla

Medulla

Controls vital functions, like Heart rate and Respiration

Ventricles

Fluid-filled cavities in the brain that produce and store cerebrospinal fluid. They help cushion and protect the brain.

Meninges

The membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and support to the central nervous system.

How do neurons communicate across a synapse?

By releasing neurotransmitters that cross the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors.

Where are neurotransmitters released from and where do they bind?

Released from the presynaptic terminal; bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

What are the main parts of a neuron?

Dendrites, cell body (soma), axon, terminal buttons.

What is the function of dendrites?

branch-like structures that receive information from other neurons, allowing ions to enter and serving as binding sites for many drugs.

what is the function of the cell body(soma)?

Integrates information from dendrites and Produces proteins and receptors

what is the function of the Axon?

Long tube-like structure that Carries electrical signals from one neuron to another

What is the function of terminal buttons?

Small structures at the end of axons that release neurotransmitters into the synapse, enabling communication between neurons.

Neurotransmitters:

• Do not enter dendrites

• Bind to receptors on the surface of dendrites

• Binding causes ion channels to open, allowing ions to enter the neuron

What is competitive binding?

A drug competes with a neurotransmitter for the same receptor site.

What is non-competitive binding?

A drug binds to a different site and changes receptor function.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Produced in 3 brain areas and released throughout the brain. its involved in muscle activation, attention, and memory functions.

Glutamate (Glu)

An amino acid and the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, found and made throughout the brain.

 GABA (Gamma−AminobutyricAcid)

Synthesized from glutamate, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter found throughout the brain. It inhibits nerve transmission in the brain, helping to regulate anxiety, mood, and muscle tone.

 Dopamine (DA)

Converted from Tyrosine. Produced in 2 specific parts of the brain. involved in reward, motivation, and motor control, associated with feelings of pleasure.

Degraded by MAO and COMT.

Norepinephrine (NE)

Made in the Locus Coeruleus and released everywhere. It acts as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, involved in arousal, alertness, and stress response.

Serotonin (5−HT)

Made from Tryptophan in the Raphe Nuclei. It regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, playing a key role in emotional well-being.

How are neurotransmitters deactivated?

Reuptake, enzymatic breakdown, or diffusion.

What is an agonist?

A substance that mimics or enhances a neurotransmitter’s effect.

What is an antagonist?

A substance that blocks or inhibits a neurotransmitter's effect.

INSTRUMENTAL USE:

A person taking a drug with a specific socially-approved goal in mind. (taking meds for headache)

RECREATIONAL USE:

A person is taking a drug for the sole purpose of experiencing its psychoactive properties (e.g., to get “high”).

What is drug misuse?

A form of drug-taking behavior in which a prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drug is used inappropriately.

What is drug abuse?

a form of drug-taking behavior that results in some form of physical, mental, or social impairment.

What is physical dependence?

The use of a drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not taken

What is psychological dependence?

Motivation to use a drug based on craving for the pleasurable effects

What is acute toxicity?

Harm caused by a single or short-term exposure.

What is chronic toxicity?

arm caused by long-term drug exposure.

Schedule I

high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use

Examples: heroin, LSD, mescaline, marijuana(this is changing), PCP

Schedule II

High potential for abuse, some accepted medical use

• Examples: codeine, morphine, cocaine, methadone, amphetamines, short-acting barbiturates

Schedule III

some potential for abuse, accepted medical use (with potential dependence)

• Examples: long-acting barbiturates, narcotic solutions, or mixtures

Schedule IV

low potential for abuse, accepted medical use

• Examples: anti-anxiety drugs and sedative-hypnotics

 Schedule V

minimal potential for abuse, widespread medical use

• Examples: prescription cough medicines not containing codeine, laxatives

What is drug tolerance?

a gradually diminished physical or psychological effect of a drug upon repeated administrations