Drugs Affecting the Nervous System Pharmacology Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary cards covering autonomic nervous system pharmacology, seizure classifications, antiepileptic treatments, neurodegenerative diseases, and ophthalmic medications.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes all nervous tissue outside the CNS, such as sensory and motor neurons.

Somatic Nervous System

Provides voluntary control over skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Provides involuntary control over smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Activated under stress to trigger the "fight-or-flight" response, readying the body for immediate threats.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Activated under non-stressful conditions to trigger the "rest-and-digest" response, promoting digestion and lowering heart rate.

Homeostasis

The proper balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the nervous system.

Ganglionic Synapse

The junction between two neurons outside the CNS, involving a preganglionic neuron and a postganglionic neuron.

Acetylcholine (Ach)

The primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Norepinephrine (NE)

The primary neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system.

Acetylcholinesterase (AchE)

The enzyme present in the synaptic cleft that rapidly destroys acetylcholine.

Nicotinic Receptors

A type of cholinergic receptor named after nicotine, which binds to them.

Muscarinic Receptors

A type of cholinergic receptor named after muscarine from poisonous mushrooms, which binds to them.

Cholinergic Agonists

Drugs that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as parasympathomimetics.

Anticholinergics

Drugs that inhibit parasympathetic impulses, causing fight-or-flight symptoms; also called cholinergic-blocking agents or parasympatholytics.

Cholinergic Crisis

A life-threatening condition caused by excess acetylcholine leading to symptoms like respiratory depression and bradycardia.

Atropine

A cholinergic-blocking prototype drug used to increase heart rate and as an antidote for cholinesterase inhibitor toxicity.

Seizures

Abnormal or uncontrolled electric discharges from neurons in the brain causing loss of consciousness and involuntary movements.

Epilepsy

A chronic, typically lifelong disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.

Convulsions

Involuntary, violent spasms of large muscles in the face, neck, arms, and legs.

Eclampsia

A severe hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by seizures, coma, and perinatal mortality.

Status Epilepticus

A medical emergency characterized by continuous seizure activity that can lead to coma and death.

Phenobarbital (Luminal)

A barbiturate prototype that increases GABA to slow brain activity and stop seizures.

Diazepam (Valium)

A benzodiazepine prototype that enhances GABA action; its antidote is Flumazenil.

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

A hydantoin prototype that stabilizes nerve membranes and reduces sodium influx; common long-term side effects include gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism.

Valproic Acid

A phenytoin-like drug used for seizures that requires monitoring for hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and thrombocytopenia.

Ethosuximide

A succinimide and the primary drug for absence seizures that works by slowing calcium entrance into neurons.

Carbamazepine

An iminostilbene antiseizure drug that carries a risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and interacts with grapefruit juice.

Parkinson’s Disease

A progressive degenerative CNS disease characterized by a loss of dopamine, tremors, muscle rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Bradykinesia

A Parkinson’s symptom characterized by difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and a shuffling gait.

Levodopa/Carbidopa

A dopaminergic agent that promotes dopamine synthesis and release; absorption is decreased by high-protein meals.

COMT Inhibitors

Drugs like Entacapone that enhance the effect of levodopa by blocking its breakdown; used only in combination with levodopa/carbidopa.

Pramipexole

A direct-acting dopamine receptor agonist that may cause sudden sleep attacks and impulse control issues like gambling or shopping.

Selegiline

An MAO-B inhibitor used for Parkinson’s that prevents dopamine breakdown; patients must avoid tyramine-rich foods to prevent hypertension.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive loss of brain function involving memory loss and confusion, characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

Donepezil (Aricept)

A cholinesterase inhibitor that improves memory and thinking in Alzheimer’s disease by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine.

Glaucoma

A condition caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) leading to optic nerve damage and visual-field loss.

Timolol (Timoptic)

A beta-adrenergic blocker used to treat glaucoma by reducing the production of aqueous humor fluid in the eye.