Nervous System

Acetylcholine in the brain is:

+/- (can be excitatory or inhibitory)

Norepinephrine in the brain is:

+/- (can be excitatory or inhibitory)

Dopamine in the brain is:

+ (excitatory)

Serotonin in the brain is:

- (inhibitory)

Histamine receptor effects:

H1 & H2 = + (excitatory), H3 = - (inhibitory)

GABA in the brain is:

- (major inhibitory neurotransmitter)

Endorphins/Enkephalins act on which receptors?

Mu, Kappa, and Delta receptors

Glutamate and Aspartate in the spinal cord are:

+ (excitatory)

Substance P in the spinal cord is:

+ (excitatory; pain transmission)

Glycine in the spinal cord is:

- (inhibitory)

Primary neurotransmitter of the Somatic Nervous System (voluntary):

Acetylcholine

Primary neurotransmitter of the Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight):

Norepinephrine & epinephrine

Sympathetic receptor types:

Alpha (1 & 2) and Beta (1, 2, & 3) receptors

Primary neurotransmitter of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and digest):

Acetylcholine

Parasympathetic receptor types:

Nicotinic and Muscarinic receptors

Primary neurotransmitter for sensory neurons:

Acetylcholine

Pain receptors are called:

Nociceptors

Receptors for pressure, vibration, and texture are:

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors for temperature are called:

Thermoreceptors

Receptors that sense body position in space are called:

Proprioceptors

Parasympathetic system uses what kind of drugs

Cholinergic drugs

Effects of acetylcholine agonism in the parasympathetic system:

Pupil constriction, salivation increases, heart rate slows, blood pressure drops, bronchioles constrict, digestion stimulated, gallbladder stimulated, bladder contracts, erection (males), vaginal lubrication (females)

Effects of acetylcholine antagonism

Blocks all parasympathetic effects listed above

Sympathetic system uses what kind of drugs

Adrenergic drugs

Effects of norepinephrine agonism

Pupil dilation, decreased salivation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, bronchioles dilate, digestion slows, liver releases glucose, epinephrine and norepinephrine secreted, bladder relaxes, ejaculation (males), orgasm (females)

Effects of norepinephrine antagonism

Blocks the sympathetic effects listed above

Cholinergic agonists treat

Urinary retention, dry mouth, Alzheimer’s disease, myasthenia gravis, overdose/toxicity of anticholinergic drugs

Alzheimer’s drug mechanism (donepezil):

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Anticholinergic drugs treat:

Asthma/COPD, overactive bladder, irritable bowel, motion sickness, peptic ulcer disease, Parkinson’s, pupillary dilation, urinary incontinence, reduce salivation, allergic rhinitis, depression, anxiety, muscle spasm

Anticholinergic drugs studied this semester:

• Atropine

• First generation antihistamines:

  • Hydroxyzine, Diphenhydramine

• TCA:

  • Amitriptyline

• First generation antipsychotic medications:

  • Chlorpromazine

• Second generation antipsychotic medications:

  • Clozapine Olanzapine

• Muscle relaxers:

  • Carisoprodol, Cyclobenzaprine, Tizanidine

Adrenergic agonists treat:

Cardiac arrest, asthma, nasal congestion

Adrenergic agonist drugs reviewed

• Albuterol

  • Beta 2 agonist

• Epinephrine

  • Alpha beta agonist 

• Phenylephrine, Oxymetazoline

  • Alpha 1 agonist

• Methylphenidate/Amphetamine

  • ADHD

• MAOIs

  • depression

Adrenergic antagonists treat:

Hypertension, myocardial infarction, glaucoma, heart failure, cardiac dysrhythmias, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

Adrenergic antagonist drugs reviewed

• Beta agonist:

  • Propranolol, Metoprolol, Carvedilol

• Alpha agonist:

  • Prazosin, Tamsulosin, Terazosin