PSY1BNA Lecture 8: The Chemistry of Behaviour 2 Neuropharmacology

Flashcards covering basic neuropharmacology, drug effects on synaptic transmission, antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and common recreational drugs.

Neuropharmacology

The study of compounds that selectively affect the nervous system.

Binding Affinity

The degree of chemical attraction between a ligand and a receptor.

Efficacy

Also known as intrinsic activity, is the extent to which a drug activates a response when it binds to a receptor.

Antipsychotics (neuroleptics)

A class of drugs used to treat schizophrenia.

Typical Antipsychotics

Selective dopamine D2 antagonists that reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and hallucinations.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Block some serotonin receptors and seem to reduce negative symptoms (such as social withdrawal and blunted emotional responses) of schizophrenia.

Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors

Prevent the breakdown of monoamines at the synapses, leading to accumulating monoamines and prolonging their activity.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Increase norepinephrine and serotonin at the synapses by blocking their reuptake into presynaptic axon terminals.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Allow serotonin to accumulate in the synapses, with fewer side effects than tricyclics.

Anxiolytics

Also known as tranquilizers, are depressants that reduce nervous system activity to combat anxiety.

Benzodiazepine Agonists

Act on GABAA receptors and enhance the inhibitory effects of GABA.

Opium

Extracted from poppy seeds, contains morphine, an effective analgesic, or painkiller.

Endogenous Opiates

Peptides produced in the body that bind to opioid receptors and relieve pain and are also addictive.

Marijuana

Derived from Cannabis sativa—its active ingredient is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Endocannabinoids

Homologs of marijuana produced in the brain—act as retrograde messengers and may influence neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic neuron.

Stimulants

Increase nervous system activity and have an alerting, activating effect.

Cocaine

Blocks monoamine transporters—especially dopamine—slows reuptake of neurotransmitters, enhancing their effects.

Dual Dependence

Addiction to the effects of the interaction of two drugs.

Amphetamine and Methamphetamine

Synthetic stimulants that resemble catecholamine transmitters (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) in structure.

Alcohol

Activates GABAA receptors and increases inhibitory effects, also stimulates dopamine pathways, causing euphoric effects.

Hallucinogens

Alter sensory perception and produce peculiar experiences.

LSD

Acts as a serotonin agonist or partial agonist, especially on 5-HT2A receptors, found in high concentrations in the visual cortex.

Ketamine

Blocks NMDA receptors in the prefrontal cortex, classified as a dissociative.

MDMA (Ecstasy)

A hallucinogenic amphetamine derivative; its major actions are increases in serotonin levels and changes in dopamine and oxytocin levels.

Addiction (Dependence)

The desire to self-administer a drug of abuse—criteria include patterns of consumption, craving, time and energy, and impact on one’s life.

Substance Abuse

A pattern of drug use that does not fully meet the criteria for dependence.

Cue-Induced Drug Use

The increased likelihood of using a drug because factors are present that were also present when the drug was last used.