Neuropharmacology

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the mechanisms by which medications for seizures operate?

Promoting Na+ exit from the cell (correct)

Increasing Na+ entry into the cell

Stimulating excessive release of GABA

Enhancing glutamate release

Which of the following is a common side effect associated with seizure medications?

Heightened coordination

Increased alertness

Enhanced motor skills

Nystagmus (correct)

What primary condition do anticonvulsant medications aim to treat?

Chronic pain

Seizures (correct)

Anxiety disorders

Hypertension

What is the general mechanism through which sedatives and hypnotics operate?

Decreasing neurotransmission from the thalamus and cortex Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is NOT classified under medications for seizures?

Ibuprofen Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic quality of a cluster headache?

Deeper burning quality Signup and view all the answers

What condition is described by low blood pressure upon standing, often causing dizziness?

Orthostatic hypotension Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a listed side effect of adrenergic beta blocking agents?

Hypoglycemia Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is an example of a beta adrenergic blocking agent?

Esmolol Signup and view all the answers

What is true regarding the mechanisms of central nervous system stimulants?

Their exact mechanism is unknown. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism through which most neuropharmacological agents exert their effects?

Altering synaptic transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of nonselective inhibition of axonal conduction?

Uniform effects across all nerves Signup and view all the answers

How do local anesthetics primarily achieve their effect?

By decreasing axonal conduction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common amino amide local anesthetic?

Procaine Signup and view all the answers

What type of effects do drugs that alter axonal conduction typically produce?

Widespread effects affecting all nerves in reach Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of local anesthetics?

They only provide temporary relief. Signup and view all the answers

Local anesthetics can lead to the loss of which sensory perception after application?

Pain Signup and view all the answers

Why is the conduction of impulses along the axon relatively uniform across all neurons?

The process of impulse conduction is similar for all neurons Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake patterns, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness?

Narcolepsy Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter's release is stimulated by certain agents to increase nerve impulse transmission?

Norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a commonly recognized side effect of certain stimulant medications?

Drowsiness Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe the condition often associated with kids exhibiting hyperactive behaviors?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which medication example is classified as a stimulant used primarily for narcolepsy and attention-deficit disorder?

Dextroamphetamines Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which non-opioid analgesics alleviate pain?

Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following side effects is NOT commonly associated with non-opioid analgesics?

Constipation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is classified as a narcotic antagonist?

Naloxone Signup and view all the answers

What effect do prostaglandins have on the body?

Cause inflammation and pain Signup and view all the answers

What class of medications is primarily indicated for fever reduction?

Anti-pyretics Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is involved in peripheral vasodilation?

Widening of blood vessels Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes the role of the thermoregulatory center in the human body?

Controls body temperature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an indication for narcotic antagonists?

Control pain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anti-Convulsants

Anti-convulsants are drugs that are used to treat seizures

Anti-Convulsant Mechanisms

Promote Na+ exit from the cell
Inhibit Na+ from entering the cell
Increase the inhibitory effect of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)
Prevent the release of glutamate and aspartate
Decrease acetylcholine released by the nerve impulses

Anti-Convulsant Side Effects

Nystagmus
Drowsiness
Hypotension
Respiratory Depression

Anti-Convulsant Examples

Hydantoins (ethtoin, felbamate, phenytoin)
Barbiturates (phenobarbital, mephobarbital, primidone)
Benzodiazepines (clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam)

### Sedatives and Hypnotics

Decrease the amount of neurotransmissions from the thalamus and the cortex of the brain

### Sedatives and Hypnotics Indications

Sedation
Insomnia
Treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms

### Common Acting Mechanisms for Neuropharmacological Agents

Influence the process under neuronal control
Alter one of the two basic neuronal activities:
- synaptic transmission
- axonal conduction

Drugs that Alter Axonal Conduction

Nonselective inhibition of axonal conduction
Suppress transmission in any nerve of access
Cannot produce selective effects
Affect conduction in all nerves of access

Drugs that Alter Axonal Conduction - Local Anesthetics

Local anesthetics stop the nerves in part of the body from sending signals to the brain
Unable to feel pain after application of local anaesthetic
May still feel some pressure or movement
Work by decreasing axonal conduction
Nonselective inhibition of axonal conduction
Suppress transmission in any nerve they reach

Drugs Used as Local Anesthetics

Amino amides
Commonly used includes bupivacaine, etidocaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, and ropivacaine

Narcotic Antagonists

Reverse toxicity associated with overdose of opioid agonist analgesics
Prevent relapse among patients who are dependent on opioid agonist analgesics

Analgesics Non-Opioid Analgesics

Three major classes
- Salicylates (aspirin)
- Para-aminophenal (Tylenol)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, e.g., Ibuprofen)
All inhibit prostaglandin synthesis which may increase the body’s response to pain
Exhibit an anti-pyretic effect by either peripheral vasodilation or by acting on the thermoregulatory center

Analgesics Non-Opioid Analgesics Indications

Pain
Fever

Analgesics Non-Opioid Analgesics Side Effects

GI problems
Headache
Dizziness

Analgesics Non-Opioid Analgesics Examples

Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Naproxen sodium

Prostaglandins

Hormone-like substances affecting several bodily functions, including inflammation, pain, and uterine contractions

Anti-Pyretic Effects

Class of medicines used to reduce fever

Peripheral Vasodilation

Act on the most distal parts of the vascular system
Dilate the blood vessels such as arterioles and venules
Lower the blood pressure
Ease the heart for pumping blood through these peripheral blood vessels

Thermoregulatory Center

The human body’s thermostat
The hypothalamic thermoregulatory center
Located in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus

Vascular Headache

Pain with throbbing and pulsatile in nature
Pain intensity often described as intense
Cluster headache with a deeper burning quality

Orthostatic Hypotension

Postural hypotension
Form of low blood pressure happening when standing after sitting or lying down
May cause dizziness or lightheadedness and possibly fainting

Adrenergic Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents

Blocks or displaces the agent from the receptor sites

Adrenergic Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents Indications

Hypertension
Angina
Glaucoma

Adrenergic Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents Side Effects

Arrhythmias
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
Nausea and Vomiting

Adrenergic Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents Examples

Acebutolol
Atenolol
Esmolol
Labetalol
Metoprolol
Pindalol

Central Nervous System Stimulants

Exact mechanism is unknown
Believed to stimulate the release of norepinephrine leading to an increase in nerve impulse transmission from cell to cell

Central Nervous System Stimulants Indications

Narcolepsy
Attention Deficit Disorder

Central Nervous System Stimulants Side Effects

Nervousness
Tremors
Irritability
Hypotension
Arrhythmias

Central Nervous System Stimulants Examples

Dextroamphetamines
Doxapram
Methylphendiate hydrochloride
Pemoline

Narcolepsy

A rare long-term brain condition
May prevent the people from choosing when to sleep or wake
The brain is unable to regulate sleeping and waking patterns
May lead to excessive daytime sleepiness

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Common for kids with hyperactive behaviors

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Description

Test your knowledge of anti-convulsants and sedatives in this quiz. Learn about their mechanisms, side effects, and examples of commonly used drugs. Understand how these neuropharmacological agents work and their indications in clinical practice.