Geriatric Psychopharmacology
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of acetylcholine in the hippocampus?

  • To aid in processing and storing memory (correct)
  • To re-uptake neurotransmitters
  • To break down lipids
  • To neutralize neurotransmitters
  • What happens to the neurotransmitter after it binds to the postsynaptic receptor?

  • It is neutralized (correct)
  • It is re-released into the synapse
  • It is stored in the presynaptic neuron
  • It is broken down into smaller molecules
  • What is the name of the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine?

  • Lipase
  • Acetylase
  • Cholinesterase (correct)
  • Proteinase
  • What is the term for the process by which neurotransmitters diffuse away from the synapse?

    <p>Fick's first law of diffusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the motivation behind developing cholinesterase inhibitors?

    <p>To improve memory loss and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process by which a presynaptic neuron reclaims a neurotransmitter?

    <p>Re-uptake</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What would happen if there was too much acetylcholine in the synapse?

    <p>We would never forget anything</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the suffix commonly used in enzyme names to indicate their function?

    <p>ase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern when prescribing drugs that affect cardiac conduction in geriatric patients?

    <p>Age-related cardiac hyperexcitability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common misconception about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

    <p>They are very benign and have no dangerous adverse effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following SSRIs has a statistically significant prolongation of the QT interval?

    <p>Citalopram</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the dose limit for citalopram in the geriatric population?

    <p>20 milligrams</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a provider still choose to prescribe citalopram despite the risks?

    <p>The patient has no insurance and must pay out of pocket</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason to avoid using citalopram in geriatric patients?

    <p>It can cause a prolonged QT interval and increase the risk of dysrhythmia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common misconception about antidepressants and anxiolytics?

    <p>They are completely safe and have no side effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key consideration when prescribing medications to geriatric patients?

    <p>The patient's age-related changes in the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?

    <p>To respond to stressors and prepare the body for 'fight or flight'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the sympathetic nervous system?

    <p>Decreased blood pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system?

    <p>Acetylcholine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of a sympathetic discharge?

    <p>It happens suddenly and uncontrollably</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

    <p>They have opposing functions and work antagonistically</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

    <p>To maintain day-to-day life functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary symptom presentation in Alzheimer's disease patients?

    <p>Memory loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common side effect of medications that affect the parasympathetic nervous system?

    <p>Cholinergic adverse effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the autonomic nervous system composed of?

    <p>The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the brand name of the first cholinesterase inhibitor indicated for Alzheimer's disease?

    <p>Cognex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was the first cholinesterase inhibitor considered 'ludicrous'?

    <p>It had to be taken four times a day</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a limitation of the first cholinesterase inhibitor in terms of its interaction with other drugs?

    <p>Cytochrome P450 interaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main consideration when selecting a cholinesterase inhibitor for a patient?

    <p>Which one best matches the patient's needs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the current cholinesterase inhibitors available in the market?

    <p>They are more user-friendly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common assumption made by drug companies when developing new medications?

    <p>They want to be the first to get a new class of medication to market</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a general principle to consider when prescribing medications to patients?

    <p>All medications have some adverse effect profile</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern when treating psychosis in a patient with Parkinson's disease?

    <p>The treatment may worsen Parkinsonian motor symptoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is unique about Nuplazid compared to other antipsychotics?

    <p>It has no impact on dopamine, histamine, or muscarinic receptors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the theorized mechanism of action for Nuplazid's control of hallucinations and psychosis?

    <p>It acts as a serotonin 2A receptor antagonist and inverse agonist</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of an agonist in a biological response?

    <p>It produces a biological response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is Nuplazid a better option for patients with Parkinson's disease than traditional antipsychotics?

    <p>It does not worsen Parkinsonian motor symptoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary advantage of Nuplazid over other antipsychotics?

    <p>It does not impact dopamine receptors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the clinical conundrum when treating psychosis in a patient with Parkinson's disease?

    <p>Treating psychosis may worsen Parkinsonian motor symptoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of using traditional antipsychotics to treat psychosis in a patient with Parkinson's disease?

    <p>The patient may experience worsened motor symptoms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Geriatric Psychopharmacology

    • In geriatric psychopharmacology, it's essential to consider the potential impact of medications on cardiac conduction, especially in older adults with age-related cardiac hyperexcitability.
    • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are generally considered safe, but they can still prolong the QT interval and increase the risk of dysrhythmia, particularly citalopram.
    • Citalopram has an FDA Black Box warning for prolonged QT interval and risk of dysrhythmia and is dose-limited to 40mg for the general population and 20mg for geriatric patients.

    Neurotransmission and Alzheimer's Disease

    • Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that helps process and store memory in the hippocampus, and its loss contributes to memory loss in Alzheimer's disease.
    • Cholinesterase inhibitors increase acetylcholine concentration by blocking its breakdown by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
    • The three ways to neutralize neurotransmitters are:
      • Diffusion away from the synapse
      • Reuptake by the presynaptic neuron
      • Enzymatic degradation

    Cholinesterase Inhibitors

    • The first cholinesterase inhibitor was tacrine, marketed under the brand name Cognex, but it had limitations, such as needing to be taken four times a day and interactions with cytochrome P450.
    • Later formulations, such as Aricept, are more user-friendly but still have cholinergic adverse effects.
    • Cholinergic adverse effects are common with cholinesterase inhibitors and are related to the parasympathetic nervous system.

    Autonomic Nervous System

    • The autonomic nervous system has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic.
    • The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
    • The parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the cholinergic system, maintains daily life functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

    Nuplazid

    • Nuplazid is a medication that controls hallucinations and delusions without impacting dopamine, histamine, or muscarinic receptors.
    • It has a unique mechanism of action, acting as a serotonin 2A receptor antagonist and inverse agonist to control psychosis.
    • Nuplazid does not have anticholinergic or antihistamine-like side effects, making it a useful option for patients with Parkinson's disease or other dopamine-related conditions.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the key concepts and considerations in geriatric psychopharmacology, including prescribing for elderly patients. It focuses on important factors to think about early in the learning curve.

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