Psychopharmacology Mini Set

What neurotransmitter system promotes sleep, reduces arousal, and inhibits neural activity?

Adenosinergic

What neurotransmitter system is involved in muscle contraction, attention, and memory?

Cholinergic

What neurotransmitter system is inhibitory and reduces neural excitability?

GABAergic

What neurotransmitter system is excitatory and involved in learning and memory?

Glutamatergic

What neurotransmitter system is involved in reward, motivation, and motor control?

Dopaminergic

What neurotransmitter system regulates mood, sleep, and appetite?

Serotonergic

Which drugs act on the adenosinergic system, and are they agonists or antagonists?

caffeine (antagonist)

Which drugs act on the cholinergic system, and are they agonists or antagonists?

Nicotine (agonist), scopolamine (antagonist)

Which drugs act on the GABAergic system, and are they agonists or antagonists?

alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates (agonists)

Which drugs act on the glutamatergic system (NDMA receptors), and are they agonists or antagonists?

ketamine, PCP (antagonists)

Which drugs act on the dopaminergic system, and are they agonists or antagonists?

Cocaine, amphetamines (agonists); antipsychotics (antagonists)

Which drugs act on the serotonergic system, and are they agonists or antagonists?

MDMA, LSD, SSRIs (agonists); shrooms, mescaline (agonists)

Which neurotransmitter system is commonly affected by stimulants (like cocaine and amphetamines)?

Dopaminergic

Which neurotransmitter system is commonly affected by alcohol?

GABAergic (agonist), Glutamatergic (antagonist)

Which neurotransmitter system is affected by marijuana?

Indirectly dopaminergic and GABAergic

Which neurotransmitter system is affected by MDMA?

Serotonergic (mainly)

Which neurotransmitter system is affected by hallucinogens (like LSD)?

Serotonergic (agonist at 5-HT2A receptors)

Which neurotransmitter system is affected by opiates (like morphine)?

Indirectly dopaminergic (via reward pathways)

Which neurotransmitter system can be influenced by some alternative medicine compounds (like herbal sleep aids)?

Adenosinergic (agonist), GABAergic (agonist)

What is the main function of the adenosinergic system?

Promotes sleep, reduces arousal, inhibits neural activity

What is the main function of the cholinergic system?

Muscle contraction, attention, learning, memory

What is the main function of the GABAergic system?

Inhibition of neurons, calming effect, anti-anxiety

What is the main function of the glutamatergic system?

Excitation, learning, memory, synaptic plasticity

What is the main function of the dopaminergic system?

Reward, motivation, motor control

What is the main function of the serotonergic system?

Mood regulation, sleep, appetite, perception

Name a neurotransmitter system affected by alcohol and explain the effect.

GABAergic (agonist → calming) and glutamatergic (antagonist → impaired cognition)

Name a neurotransmitter system affected by caffeine and explain the effect.

Adenosinergic (antagonist → increased alertness)

Name a neurotransmitter system affected by nicotine and explain the effect.

Cholinergic (agonist → increased alertness and attention)

Name a neurotransmitter system affected by cocaine and explain the effect.

Dopaminergic (agonist → increased reward and arousal)

Name a neurotransmitter system affected by MDMA and explain the effect.

Serotonergic (agonist → mood elevation, empathy), also dopaminergic

What are the three weak blood-brain barrier areas?

Pituitary gland, pineal gland, and area postrema

How do benzodiazepines affect GABA receptors?

They are agonists that increase pore opening

How do barbiturates affect GABA receptors?

They are agonists that increase GABA receptor duration

How does alcohol affect GABA receptors?

agonist that increase GABAa affinity (ease of binding)

How are MAOIs used to treat depression?

inhibits monoamine oxidase (enzymatic degradation) → increases neurotransmitter levels in the synapse → elevates mood

How do MAOIs affect catecholamines?

They increase dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine by blocking their breakdown

How do MAOIs affect indoleamines?

They increase serotonin by blocking its breakdown

What is a tricyclic antidepressant?

A class of antidepressants with a three-ring chemical structure that acts as a reuptake inhibitor (antagonist of transporters) for norepinephrine and serotonin → increases their synaptic levels

What do SSRIs do?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; they block serotonin reuptake transporters → more serotonin in synapse

Are SSRIs agonists or antagonists?

Antagonist at the serotonin transporter (blocks reuptake), functionally increases serotonergic signaling

What is the drug safety therapeutic index?

TI=TD50 / ED50