Central Nervous System Pharmacology Lecture Notes

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the pharmacology of the Central Nervous System, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Antipsychotics, Anxiolytics, and Anticonvulsants.

Amyloid Hypothesis

A theory of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis involving the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques starting with the synthesis of amyloid precursor protein (APP).

Non-amyloidogenic Pathway

A metabolic pathway where APP is cleaved by $\alpha$-secretase and gamma secretase within the $A\beta$ region, preventing amyloid-beta formation.

Amyloidogenic Pathway

A pathway where APP is cleaved by $\beta$-secretase and gamma secretase, leading to the formation and aggregation of beta amyloid plaques that cause dementia.

Tau Hypothesis

A theory stating that the presence of beta amyloid induces kinase activity, leading to the hyperphosphorylation of TAU protein, formation of neurofibrillary tangles, and destabilization of microtubules.

Cholinergic Hypothesis

States that the organic cause of Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by low levels of Acetylcholine and high levels of Glutamate.

Apo E4 Allele

A genetic factor in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease responsible for degrading beta amyloid; mutations lead to plaque accumulation.

Presenilin 1 and 2 ($PSEN1$, $PSEN2$)

Components of gamma secretase encoded on chromosomes $14$ and $1$ respectively; mutations in these lead to longer beta amyloid and higher levels of plaques.

Donepezil

A cholinesterase inhibitor used in Alzheimer's disease that specifically inhibits Acetylcholinesterase.

Rivastigmine

A cholinesterase inhibitor used in Alzheimer's disease that inhibits both Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase ($BuChE$).

Memantine

An NMDA receptor antagonist used to treat Alzheimer’s by addressing high levels of Glutamate and preventing continuous neuronal depolarization from Calcium influx.

Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors (NNRs)

Regulators of nervous system function targeted by drugs like Targacept to normalize chemical signaling, acting as the nervous system's "volume knob."

Levodopa

A metabolic precursor and source of dopamine used to treat Parkinson's disease, which is often administered with Carbidopa.

Carbidopa

A drug that inhibits DOPA decarboxylase in the blood to prevent the premature destruction of Levodopa.

Tolcapone

A Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor that acts both in the blood and in the brain to prevent the degradation of dopamine and Levodopa.

Selegiline and Rasagiline

Pure MAO-B inhibitors used in Parkinson's disease to prevent the destruction of Norepinephrine and Dopamine in the brain.

Amantadine

A drug used in Parkinson's disease to increase Dopamine release; it is associated with the side effect Livedo Reticularis.

Extra Pyramidal Symptoms (EPS)

Motor disturbances caused by decreased dopamine in the Nigrostriatal pathway, often seen as a side effect when typical antipsychotic drugs block more than $80 \%$ of $D_2$ receptors.

Clozapine

An atypical antipsychotic that blocks $D_1$ and $5-HT_2$ receptors; it is notable for not blocking $D_2$ and for the risk of agranulocytosis.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

A life-threatening complication of antipsychotic use featuring muscle rigidity, fever, and tachycardia; treated with Bromocriptine, Amantadine, and Dantrolene (BAD).

Tardive Dyskinesia

An often irreversible side effect of typical antipsychotics involving involuntary movements of the lips, head, limbs, and trunk.

Chlorpromazine

A low-potency typical antipsychotic also used as an anti-hiccup medication; it can block $D_2$, Muscarinic, $\alpha_1$, and $H_1$ receptors.

Benzodiazepines (BZDs)

GABA-mimetic drugs that increase the frequency of chloride channel opening to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures; they act as muscle relaxants.

Barbiturates

GABA-mimetic drugs that increase the duration of chloride channel opening; they lack a ceiling point and are used for induction of anesthesia.

Flumazenil

The specific pharmacological antidote for benzodiazepine poisoning.

Buspirone

A Serotonin $2A$ receptor agonist used purely as an anxiolytic in the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Ethosuximide

The drug of first choice for managing absence (petit mal) seizures.

Lorazepam

The new drug of choice ($DOC$) for treating Status Epilepticus.

Vigabatrin

An anticonvulsant drug that inhibits GABA Transaminase to increase GABA levels; associated with the adverse effect of vision loss.

Selective Serotonin Receptor Inhibitors (SSRI)

The drug of choice for Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and OCD; examples include Fluoxetine and Sertraline.

Lithium Carbonate

The drug of choice for Mania; it inhibits phosphatase activity and requires monitoring of thyroid and renal function.