Chapter 4 Psychopharmacology -
Behavioral Neuroscience Exam #3
Questions With Answers.
Psychopharmacology - ANSWER- The scientific study of the effect of drugs on the
nervous system and behavior
Why study psychopharmacology? - ANSWER- Better understanding how things work
(i.e. receptors, cell functions, etc.)
Psychotherapeutic drugs
Agonist - ANSWER- mimics or potentiates (enhances) the effect of a NT; facilitates post
synaptic effects
Antagonist - ANSWER- Opposes or inhibits the effects of a NT
Classes of Neurotransmitters - ANSWER- Amino Acids
Amines (monoamines)
Peptides
Acetylcholine
Lipids
Nucleosides
Soluble Gases
Amino Acids (simpliest) - ANSWER- Glutamate (excitatory in the brain)
GABA (inhibitory in the brain)
Glycine (inhibitory in the PNS, spinal cord)
Amines (monoamines) - ANSWER- (derived from amino acids)
Catecholamines
Indolamines
Catecholamines - ANSWER- (contain catechol and derived from the amino acid
tyrosine)
Dopamine (Dopaminergic)
Epinephrine (Adrenergic)
Norepinphrine (Noradrenergic)
Indolamines - ANSWER- (a six-membered benzene ring)
Serotonin
Melatonin
, Acetylcholine (Ach) - ANSWER- First neurotransmitter discovered; found at the junction
of muscles and b/w the parasympathetic system
Three systems affected by Ach - ANSWER- Dorsolateral pons - REM sleep
basal forebrain - facilitates learning
medial septum - formation of memories
Drug and toxins that affect Ach - ANSWER- Botulinum toxin (blocks Ach release)
Black Widow venom (continual release of Ach)
Types of ACh receptors - ANSWER- Nicotinic receptors (ionotropic)
Muscarinic receptors (metabotropic)
Nicotinic Receptors - ANSWER- Ionotropic, stimulated by nicotine; blocked by curare
Muscarinic Receptors - ANSWER- Metabotropic, stimulated by muscarine; blocked by
atropine
Drugs that serve as agonists - ANSWER- activates postsynaptic receptors
blocks autoreceptors
increase available precursor
blocks reuptake
Drugs that serve as antagonists - ANSWER- blocks postsynaptic receptors
activates presynaptic autoreceptors
prevents storage of NT in vesicles
inhibits release of NT
Drugs that inactivate AChE - ANSWER- Insecticides
Neostigmine (medicine that bloach Ach
Functions of Dopamine (DA) - ANSWER- movements, attention, learning, and the
reinforcing
How is DA synthesized? - ANSWER- Tyrosine --> L-Dopa--> DA-->NE
Three major dopaminergic pathways - ANSWER- Nigrostriatal system
Mesolimbic system
Mesocortical system
Nigostriatal system - ANSWER- (starts in the substantia niagra --> striatum)
control of movement
Mesolimbic system - ANSWER- reinforcement, effects of addictive drugs
Behavioral Neuroscience Exam #3
Questions With Answers.
Psychopharmacology - ANSWER- The scientific study of the effect of drugs on the
nervous system and behavior
Why study psychopharmacology? - ANSWER- Better understanding how things work
(i.e. receptors, cell functions, etc.)
Psychotherapeutic drugs
Agonist - ANSWER- mimics or potentiates (enhances) the effect of a NT; facilitates post
synaptic effects
Antagonist - ANSWER- Opposes or inhibits the effects of a NT
Classes of Neurotransmitters - ANSWER- Amino Acids
Amines (monoamines)
Peptides
Acetylcholine
Lipids
Nucleosides
Soluble Gases
Amino Acids (simpliest) - ANSWER- Glutamate (excitatory in the brain)
GABA (inhibitory in the brain)
Glycine (inhibitory in the PNS, spinal cord)
Amines (monoamines) - ANSWER- (derived from amino acids)
Catecholamines
Indolamines
Catecholamines - ANSWER- (contain catechol and derived from the amino acid
tyrosine)
Dopamine (Dopaminergic)
Epinephrine (Adrenergic)
Norepinphrine (Noradrenergic)
Indolamines - ANSWER- (a six-membered benzene ring)
Serotonin
Melatonin
, Acetylcholine (Ach) - ANSWER- First neurotransmitter discovered; found at the junction
of muscles and b/w the parasympathetic system
Three systems affected by Ach - ANSWER- Dorsolateral pons - REM sleep
basal forebrain - facilitates learning
medial septum - formation of memories
Drug and toxins that affect Ach - ANSWER- Botulinum toxin (blocks Ach release)
Black Widow venom (continual release of Ach)
Types of ACh receptors - ANSWER- Nicotinic receptors (ionotropic)
Muscarinic receptors (metabotropic)
Nicotinic Receptors - ANSWER- Ionotropic, stimulated by nicotine; blocked by curare
Muscarinic Receptors - ANSWER- Metabotropic, stimulated by muscarine; blocked by
atropine
Drugs that serve as agonists - ANSWER- activates postsynaptic receptors
blocks autoreceptors
increase available precursor
blocks reuptake
Drugs that serve as antagonists - ANSWER- blocks postsynaptic receptors
activates presynaptic autoreceptors
prevents storage of NT in vesicles
inhibits release of NT
Drugs that inactivate AChE - ANSWER- Insecticides
Neostigmine (medicine that bloach Ach
Functions of Dopamine (DA) - ANSWER- movements, attention, learning, and the
reinforcing
How is DA synthesized? - ANSWER- Tyrosine --> L-Dopa--> DA-->NE
Three major dopaminergic pathways - ANSWER- Nigrostriatal system
Mesolimbic system
Mesocortical system
Nigostriatal system - ANSWER- (starts in the substantia niagra --> striatum)
control of movement
Mesolimbic system - ANSWER- reinforcement, effects of addictive drugs
