Topic 4 Lecture Video: Pharmacology Notes: ANS, Adrenergic/Cholinergic Drugs, and CNS/Sleep

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes on the autonomic nervous system, pharmacology, and related topics.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary body functions; divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)

Division of the ANS that mediates fight-or-flight responses, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, dilating pupils, and bronchodilating.

Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)

Division of the ANS that promotes rest-and-digest activities, slowing heart rate and increasing digestion.

Sympathomimetic

Agent that mimics sympathetic nervous system activity; synonymous with adrenergic agonist.

Adrenergic agonist

Drug that stimulates adrenergic (sympathetic) receptors (alpha or beta).

Adrenergic receptors

Receptors for sympathetic neurotransmitters; include alpha (α1, α2) and beta (β1, β2) subtypes.

Alpha1 receptor

Adrenergic receptor whose stimulation causes vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, pupil dilation, and bladder sphincter contraction.

Alpha2 receptor

Adrenergic receptor whose stimulation inhibits norepinephrine release, promoting vasodilation and decreased blood pressure; also reduces GI motility.

Beta1 receptor

Adrenergic receptor whose stimulation increases heart rate and contractility and stimulates renin release.

Beta2 receptor

Adrenergic receptor whose stimulation causes bronchodilation, decreased GI motility, liver glycogenolysis, and skeletal muscle vasodilation.

Catecholamines

Endogenous or synthetic adrenergic compounds (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine) that act on adrenergic receptors.

Noncatecholamines

Adrenergic agonists that are not catecholamines; typically longer-acting (e.g., phenylephrine, albuterol).

Direct-acting adrenergic agonist

Agent that directly binds and activates adrenergic receptors.

Indirect-acting adrenergic agonist

Agent that increases norepinephrine release to stimulate adrenergic receptors.

Mixed-acting adrenergic agonist

Agent with dual action: directly stimulates receptors and increases norepinephrine release.

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Nonselective adrenergic agonist acting on α1, β1, and β2 receptors; used in anaphylaxis, CPR, and shock; can cause tachycardia and hypertension.

Albuterol

β2-adrenergic agonist that produces bronchodilation; used for asthma and acute bronchospasm.

Atenolol

β1-selective adrenergic antagonist (beta blocker) that decreases heart rate and blood pressure.

Nonselective beta blocker

Beta blocker that inhibits both β1 and β2 receptors; can cause bronchoconstriction—contraindicated in asthma/COPD.

Alpha adrenergic antagonist

Drug class that blocks α-receptors, causing vasodilation and lower blood pressure.

Alpha1 blocker

α1-adrenergic antagonist; causes vasodilation and decreased blood pressure; may cause orthostatic dizziness.

Beta1 blocker

β1-adrenergic antagonist; reduces cardiac output and heart rate; used for hypertension and angina.

Beta2 blocker

β2-adrenergic antagonist; can cause bronchoconstriction; not ideal for asthma/COPD.

Atropine

Anticholinergic (muscarinic antagonist); increases heart rate, reduces salivation, and dilates pupils; used preoperatively and for bradycardia.

Cholinergic agonist

Drug that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system by activating cholinergic receptors.

Muscarinic receptor

Cholinergic receptor subtype that mediates smooth muscle effects and slows heart rate.

Nicotinic receptor

Cholinergic receptor at autonomic ganglia and the neuromuscular junction; mediates skeletal muscle contraction.

Bethanechol (Urecholine)

Direct-acting cholinergic agonist; promotes bladder contraction to treat urinary retention.

Methacholine

Muscarinic agonist used in bronchial challenge tests; direct-acting cholinergic agent.

Cholinergic crisis

Excess parasympathetic activity; can cause bradycardia, sweating, salivation, diarrhea, and muscle weakness.

Anticholinergic toxidrome

Mad as a hatter (confusion), blind as a bat (mydriasis), red as a beet (flushed), hot as a hare (hyperthermia), dry as a bone (dry mucous membranes).

Anticholinergic

Drug that blocks acetylcholine effects; mimics sympathetic effects by reducing parasympathetic activity.

Cam interactions with benzodiazepines

Herbal supplements like kava kava, valerian, and chamomile may enhance sedation when combined with benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepine

Sedative-hypnotic with -p(am/-lam) endings; enhances GABA_A; risk of respiratory depression; antidote is flumazenil.

Flumazenil

Antidote to reverse benzodiazepine-induced sedation and respiratory depression.

Zolpidem (Ambien)

Nonbenzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic for short-term insomnia; onset ~30 minutes; duration ~6–8 hours; may cause sleep-related behaviors and amnesia.

Insomnia

Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep; treated with sedative-hypnotics after nonpharmacologic methods are attempted.

Sedative-hypnotics

Drugs that promote sleep or reduce anxiety; include benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines.

General anesthesia

Drug-induced loss of consciousness with CNS depression used for surgery.

Local anesthesia

Numbs a targeted area while the patient remains conscious; various routes including topical, injection, or regional blocks.