Neurobiologic Foundations & Psychopharmacology Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering neuroanatomy, brain function, neurotransmitters, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and psychiatric drug classifications based on NSC 392 lecture notes.

Limbic System

A major brain network comprising the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, essential for regulating emotions and memory.

Neuroplasticity

The continuous process of modulation of neuronal structure and function in response to a changing environment, allowing nerve signals to be rerouted, cells to learn new functions, and nerve tissues to regenerate.

Synaptic Cleft

The site of communication between neurons where electrical signals are converted into chemical signals through neurotransmitter release.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical molecules that directly or indirectly control the opening and closing of ion channels, exerting excitatory or inhibitory effects to relay messages across synapses.

Receptors

Specific protein structures on neuronal membranes that bind exclusively with corresponding neurotransmitters in a lock-and-key mechanism.

Receptor Sensitivity

The ability of neuronal receptors to alter their capacity to respond, most commonly affected by drug actions or disease processes.

Functions of the Brain Lobes

The specialized functions across brain structures: Frontal lobe (behaviour, intelligence, memory, movement), Parietal lobe (intelligence, language, reading, sensation), Occipital lobe (vision), Temporal lobe (behaviour, hearing, memory, speech), Brain stem (blood pressure, breathing, consciousness, heartbeat, swallowing), and Cerebellum (balance, coordination).

Biogenic Amines Interaction

The functional intersections among Norepinephrine (attention, motivation, pleasure, reward), Dopamine (alertness, energy), and Serotonin (obsessions and compulsions), which jointly regulate mood and anxiety.

Dopamine

An excitatory catecholamine synthesized from tyrosine involved in cognition, regulation of action, emotion, motivation, attention, and endocrine functions.

Norepinephrine

An excitatory catecholamine synthesized from tyrosine that plays a major role in mood states.

Serotonin

An inhibitory biogenic amine synthesized from tryptophan that plays a key role in emotions, cognition, sensory perceptions, and essential biological functions such as sleep and appetite.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

An amino acid that serves as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Glutamate

An amino acid that acts as the most widely distributed excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Histamine

An amino acid neurotransmitter that may play a role in autonomic and neuroendocrine regulation.

Acetylcholine

An amino acid neurotransmitter capable of exerting either excitatory or inhibitory effects.

Target Symptoms

Measurable, specific symptoms expected to improve as a result of psychopharmacologic treatment.

Side Effects

Unwanted, untoward effects produced by medication administration.

Adverse Reactions

Unwanted medication effects that carry serious physiological consequences.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of drug action mechanisms and target sites, including receptors, ion channels, enzymes, and carrier proteins (uptake receptors).

Efficacy

The ability of a drug to produce a desired therapeutic response.

Potency

The dose of a drug required to achieve a given clinical effect.

Half-Life

The time required for half ($50\%$) of a drug's dose to be cleared from the body.

Desensitization

A decrease in drug effects following repeated administration.

Tolerance

A gradual decrease in drug action over time at a specific dose level.

Toxicity

The state in which drug concentration in the body reaches levels that cause physiological harm.

Therapeutic Index

The ratio comparing the maximum nontoxic dose of a drug to its minimum effective dose.

Pharmacokinetics

The study of drug movement through the body, including absorption, route of administration, first-pass effect, bioavailability, distribution, solubility, protein binding, metabolism, and excretion.

First-Pass Effect

The initial breakdown and metabolism of oral medications by the liver before entering systemic circulation, which can be avoided via intramuscular administration.

Ethnopsychopharmacology

The branch of pharmacology examining cultural variations and genetic differences that influence medication effectiveness across populations.

Typical Antipsychotics

Conventional first-generation antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Haloperidol) that produce therapeutic effects primarily by blocking dopamine receptors.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Second- and third-generation antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Risperidone, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole) that target both dopamine and serotonin pathways.

Metabolic Syndrome

A complex side effect of antipsychotic medications characterized by obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol with triglycerides $\ge 150\,\text{mg/dL}$.

Acute Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)

Medication-induced movement disorders caused commonly by typical antipsychotics and less frequently by atypicals, consisting of dystonia, pseudoparkinsonism, and akathisia.

Dystonia

An acute extrapyramidal symptom characterized by severe muscle spasms or abnormal muscle tone, typically appearing within a few days of initiating antipsychotic therapy.

Pseudoparkinsonism

An acute extrapyramidal symptom presenting with Parkinsonian signs (rigidity, tremors) with an abrupt onset usually within the first 30 days of antipsychotic treatment.

Akathisia

An acute extrapyramidal symptom marked by intense restless movement, frequently misdiagnosed as agitation or worsening psychotic symptoms.

Tardive Dyskinesia

A chronic movement disorder involving involuntary, repetitive body movements caused by long-term antipsychotic therapy, historically considered irreversible.

Serotonin Syndrome

A life-threatening toxicity caused by excessive serotonergic stimulation or impaired serotonin metabolism, resulting in altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular disturbances.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Antidepressant medications (e.g., fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, paroxetine) that block presynaptic serotonin transport to inhibit serotonin reuptake.

Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Antidepressants (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine) that prevent presynaptic reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin; side effects include increased blood pressure.

Norepinephrine Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs)

Antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) that inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine; side effects include agitation, insomnia, appetite suppression, and psychosis.

Alpha-2 Antagonist (NaSSA)

An antidepressant class represented by mirtazapine (Remeron) that enhances norepinephrine and serotonin levels by blocking presynaptic alpha-2 adrenergic receptors; side effects include low-dose sedation and weight gain.

Serotonin-2 Antagonist Reuptake Inhibitors (SARIs)

Antidepressants like Trazodone that potently block serotonin-2A receptors while weakly inhibiting serotonin reuptake pumps; side effects include sedation, dizziness, and priapism.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine) that block serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake; equal in efficacy to SSRIs but carry higher lethal potential in overdose and distinct anticholinergic side effects.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Antidepressants (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) that block monoamine oxidase, requiring avoidance of tyramine-rich foods to prevent severe hypertensive crisis.

Lithium

The gold-standard mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder and mania, requiring blood level monitoring to remain within a narrow therapeutic window of $0.5\text{--}1.5\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Lithium Toxicity

A toxic clinical condition signaled by severe diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscle weakness, and incoordination, necessitating immediate drug cessation.

Valproic Acid (Depakote)

An anticonvulsant approved for mania with a therapeutic blood range of $50\text{--}125\,\mu\text{g/mL}$; mandates monitoring for pregnancy, hepatic toxicity, and thrombocytopenia.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

An anticonvulsant mood stabilizer with variable absorption; carries severe boxed warnings for aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis.

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

An anticonvulsant mood stabilizer associated with benign rash, but carrying a risk for severe, life-threatening dermatologic reactions within 2 to 8 weeks, requiring prompt discontinuation.

Benzodiazepines

Anxiolytic medications indicated for anxiety, insomnia, OCD, PTSD, and alcohol withdrawal; known for CNS depression, tolerance, physical dependence, and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.

St. John's Wort

An herbal supplement used for depression, pain, and anxiety that modulates serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, posing a high risk for serotonin syndrome when combined with serotonergic drugs.

Motivational Interviewing

A patient-centered strategy that explores readiness for change through two phases (explore and resolve, strengthen and support) while evaluating patient values, beliefs, and preferences.

Transtheoretical Model

Prochaska's health promotion model describing six stages of individual behavior change: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance.