Collaborative Therapies in the Management of Nervous System Conditions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering psychotherapeutic medications, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antiepileptic drugs as discussed in the lecture notes.

Psychoses

A severe emotional disorder that impairs mental function to the point an individual cannot participate in ADLs, with a hallmark loss of contact with reality (e.g., Schizophrenia).

Affective disorders

Changes in mood ranging from mania (abnormally pronounced emotions) to depression (abnormally reduced emotions).

Anxiety

An unpleasant state of mind characterized by a sense of dread and fear, which may be based on actual or anticipated experiences, or exaggerated responses to imaginary situations.

Catecholamines

A group of neurotransmitters including Dopamine and Norepinephrine that play an important role in maintaining mental health.

Indolamines

A group of neurotransmitters including Serotonin and Histamine involved in the biochemical imbalance theory of mental health.

Benzodiazepines

A class of sedative-hypnotic drugs used for acute anxiety, panic disorders, and seizures that depress activity in the brainstem and limbic system by activating GABA receptors.

flumazenil (Romazicon)

A benzodiazepine antidote used to acutely reverse sedation effects and manage toxicity.

lorazepam (Ativan)

A benzodiazepine/anti-anxiety medication that can cause respiratory depression and requires tapering rather than abrupt cessation.

diazepam (Valium)

A benzodiazepine that potentiates GABA actions and is used for status epilepticus, alcohol withdrawal, and procedural sedation.

zopiclone (Imovane)

A nonbenzodiazepine short-acting hypnotic binding to the GABA receptor complex, indicated for short-term treatment of insomnia ($7$ to $10$ days).

TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants)

First-generation antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil) that block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine; they are cardiotoxic and lethal in overdose.

MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)

Antidepressants like phenelzine sulfate that block monoamine oxidase to increase neurotransmitter levels; they require a tyramine-restricted diet to avoid hypertensive crisis.

Tyramine

An amino acid found in aged cheese, fermented meats, and overripe fruit that can lead to a fatal hypertensive crisis if ingested while taking MAOIs.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

Second-generation antidepressants like sertraline (Zoloft) that selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake; they take $4$ to $6$ weeks to reach maximum effectiveness.

Serotonin Syndrome

A life-threatening adverse effect of antidepressants characterized by delirium, tachycardia, fever, tremors, hyperthermia, and autonomic instability.

lithium (Carbolith)

An anti-manic drug for bipolar disorder that alters sodium transport in nerve cells; it has a narrow therapeutic range of $0.6$ to $1.2\,mEq/L$.

Haloperidol (Haldol)

A conventional/first-generation antipsychotic that blocks dopamine receptors and is used for long-term treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia.

Quetiapine (Seroquel)

An atypical/second-generation antipsychotic that acts on both serotonin and dopamine with a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Involuntary muscle symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, including akathisia (muscle restlessness) and acute dystonia (painful muscle spasms).

Tardive dyskinesia (TD)

A condition resulting from long-term antipsychotic therapy involving involuntary contractions of oral and facial muscles and wavelike movements of extremities.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)

A life-threatening symptom of antipsychotic use characterized by high fever, unstable blood pressure, and myoglobinemia.

phenobarbital

A long-acting barbiturate that intensifies GABA effects; used as a hypnotic, sedative, and anticonvulsant with a therapeutic range of $15$ to $40\,mcg/L$.

Epilepsy

A chronic, recurrent pattern of seizures, which can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary (due to trauma, infection, etc.).

Status Epilepticus

A life-threatening continuous seizure state where seizures are prolonged or occur without full recovery in between.

phenytoin (Dilantin)

An antiepileptic drug that inhibits the spread of seizure activity; known for adverse effects like gingival hyperplasia and requiring compatibility only with NS (normal saline).

Gingival hyperplasia

An adverse effect of phenytoin (Dilantin) characterized by the overgrowth of gum tissue, requiring good oral hygiene.

carbamazepine (Tegretol)

An iminiostilbine antiepileptic used for partial and tonic-clonic seizures that requires monitoring for blood dyscrasias and avoidance of grapefruit juice.