General Pharmacology: CNS Stimulants

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to CNS stimulants and related topics.

Psychomotor Stimulants

Stimulate the CNS, cause excitement and euphoria, elevate mood, increase energy and alertness, and decrease fatigue. Frequently abused and can lead to addiction.

Hallucinogens

Produce profound changes in perception, thought patterns, and mood. They are drugs of abuse and can lead to addiction.

Drug Addiction

A complex brain disease characterized by compulsive drug craving, seeking, and use that persists even in the face of extremely negative consequences.

Brain Reward Pathways

Life-sustaining activities activate this. Addictive drugs also activate it.

Caffeine

A nonselective antagonist of adenosine receptors, inhibiting adenosine action and thus increasing neural activities. It is used to reduce physical fatigue or drowsiness.

Nicotine

Binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, resulting in multiple effects, including stimulation of dopamine release in the brain's pleasure circuit, leading to pleasurable sensations and addiction.

Cocaine

Binds to the transporters of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine (DAT, NET, SERT) and inhibits the reuptake of the monoamines, resulting in a “high” sensation (euphoria).

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)

Inhibits DAT and NET, producing similar stimulating effects as cocaine but with a lower potential for addiction when administered orally as prescribed.

Amphetamine

Has a similar structure as dopamine and is transported into nerve terminals by DAT, causing leaking of dopamine from synaptic vesicles. It inhibits dopamine uptake and also causes dopamine efflux.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, which binds to and activates specific cannabinoid receptors, which are G-protein coupled receptors.