psyc265: exam 1

what are the four main processes of pharmokinetics?

absorption; distribution, metabolism, elimination (ADME) how a drug enters moves through, is changed by, and leaves the body

which drug administration routes bypass first pass metabolism

sublingual and buccal routes bypass first metabolism

drugs enter bloodstream directly from the mouth, avoiding liver initially

function of blood brain barrier

protects brain by restricting passage of large or hydrophilic molecules

allows mainly small lipid soluble substances to cross

drug half life

how long it takes for concentration of a drug in the body to decrease by half

affects dosing intervals and duration of action 

factors that cause individual differences in drug metabolism

genetics (enzyme variants)

diet (induce or inhibit enzymes)

main parts of neuron

dendrites - receive signals

soma - cell body

axon - sends signals

terminal buttons - release neurotransmitters

main excitatory neurotransmitter in brain 

glutamate - important for learning and memory 

difference between ionotropic and metabotropic receptors

ionotropic - ligand gated ion channels that act quickly

metabotropic - g protein coupled act slowly through second messengers

agonist 

activates a receptor to produce a response

antagonist

blocks the receptors and prevents a response

therapeutic index

ratio fo toxic dosse to effective dose (TI=TD50/ED50); higher TI means drug is safer

brain regions and reward circuit

VTA (ventral tegmental area)

nucleus accumbens 

prefrontal cortex

metabolic tolerance

repeated drug use increases the rate at which body metabolizes the drug, reducing its effect

pharmacodynamic tolerancee

target cells or receptors become less responsive to a drug after repeated exposure

chronic drug use affect on brain’s reward system

reduce sensitivity to natural rewards and increase craving - relapse more likely 

main function of transporter proteins in neurotransmission

reuptake neurotransmitters from synaptic cleft back into presynaptic neuron - ending the signal

difference between drug misuse and drug abuse 

using drug in way not intended by prescriber

drug abuse is using drug for non medical reasons 

discontinuation syndrome

set of withdrawal symptoms that can occur when certain medications, antidepressants are stopped abruptly

pharmacology

science of how drugs affect the body

psychopharmacology

how drugs affect brain and behavior 

pharmokinetics

movement of drugs into, through, and out the body

main process of pharmokinetics - adme

absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination

pharmocodynamics

how drugs interact with body structures to produce effects 

drug administration routes

enteral - oral, rectal

parentral - inhalation, mucous membrane, skin injection

routes of administration that bypass first pass metabolism

sublingual, buccal

blood brain barrier 

protects brain from toxins and large molecules, lipid soluble drugs cross more easily, p-glycoproteins pump drugs out