Brain and Behavior Methods Lab Vocab

Pharmacology

the scientific study of drugs and their effects of living organisms

Neuropharmacology

the study of drug induced changes in the functioning of cells in the nervous system

Psychopharmacology

emphasizes drug-induced changes in mood, thinking, and behavior

drug action

the specific molecular changes produced by a drug when it binds to a particular target site or receptor

drug effects

more widespread alterations in physiological or psychological functions

therapeutic effects

desired physical and behavioral changes produced as a result of drug-receptor interaction

side effects

non-desired effects

nonspecific drug effects

effects not based on the chemical activity of a drug-receptor interaction, but on certain unique characteristics of the individual

5 pharmacokinetic factors

routes of administration, absorption and distribution, binding, inactivation, and excretion

routes of administration

how and where a drug is administered, determines how quickly/completely the drug is absorbed into the blood

absorption and distribution

because a drug rarely acts where it initially contacts the body, it must pass through a variety of cell membranes and enter the blood plasma which transports the drug to virtually all cells in the body

binding

drug molecules in the blood plasma move to tissues to bind to active target sites, plasma proteins, or be temporarily stored in bone or fat, where it is inactive