adrenergic - ANSWER-Adjectival form of adrenaline, also called epinephrine (EPI).
May be used broadly to include both NE- and EPI-related features.
albuterol (Ventolin) - ANSWER-Drug that selectively stimulates the β-adrenoceptor.
It is used in asthma treatments.
α-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) - ANSWER-Drug that inhibits TH activity, thereby
reducing catecholamine synthesis.
amphetamine - ANSWER-Psychostimulant that acts by increasing catecholamine
release in nerve cells.
apomorphine - ANSWER-Drug that is a D1 and D2 receptor agonist and causes
behavioral activation. It may also be used to treat erectile dysfunction by acting
through DA receptors in the brain to increase penile blood flow.
aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) - ANSWER-Enzyme that catalyzes the
removal of a carboxyl group from certain amino acids. It is responsible for the
conversion of DOPA to DA in catecholaminergic neurons and the conversion of 5-HTP
to 5-HT in serotonergic neurons.
atomoxetine (Strattera) - ANSWER-Selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitor used in
the treatment of ADHD.
behavioral supersensitivity - ANSWER-An increased response to a drug treatment as
a direct result of previous drug history or drug intake.
biogenic amine - ANSWER-A transmitter that is made by a living organism and
contains at least one amine group.
catalepsy - ANSWER-State characterized by a lack of spontaneous movement. It is
usually associated with D2 receptor blockers (a DA receptor subtype), but can also
be induced with a D1 blocker.
catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) - ANSWER-One of the enzymes responsible
for metabolic breakdown of catecholamines.
catecholamines - ANSWER-Group of neurotransmitters and hormones characterized
by two chemical similarities: a core structure of catechol and a nitrogen-containing
amine. They belong to a wider group of transmitters called monoamines or biogenic
amines.
clonidine (Catapres) - ANSWER-An α2-adrenergic agonist that stimulates
autoreceptors and inhibits noradrenergic cell firing. It is used to reduce symptoms of
opioid withdrawal.
, cocaine - ANSWER-Stimulant drug that blocks reuptake of DA, NE, and 5-HT by
neurons, thereby increasing their concentration in the synaptic cleft.
DA transporter (DAT) - ANSWER-Protein in the membrane of dopaminergic neurons
that is responsible for DA uptake from the synaptic cleft.
dexmedetomidine (Precedex) - ANSWER-Drug that stimulates α2-receptors,
characterized by its sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects. It is used to treat
surgical patients in intensive care.
dopamine (DA) - ANSWER-Neurotransmitter, related to NE and EPI, that belongs to a
group called catecholamines.
dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) - ANSWER-Enzyme that catalyzes the third step of NE
synthesis in neurons, the conversion of DA to NE.
dopaminergic - ANSWER-Adjectival form of DA.
entacapone (Comtan) - ANSWER-COMT inhibitor used in conjunction with l-DOPA to
treat Parkinson's disease.
guanfacine (Intuniv) - ANSWER-α2A-adrenergic agonist prescribed for the treatment
of ADHD. Guanfacine is believed to improve attention and memory by stimulating
α2A-adrenergic receptors in the prefrontal cortex.
haloperidol (Haldol) - ANSWER-A D2 receptor blocker that can induce catalepsy in
animals when administered in high doses. It is used clinically as an antipsychotic
agent.
homovanillic acid (HVA) - ANSWER-Major metabolite formed in the breakdown of DA.
6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) - ANSWER-Neurotoxin similar in structure to DA that
damages catecholaminergic nerve terminals and is used to study catecholamine
pathways.
isoproterenol - ANSWER-An agonist at β-adrenergic receptors.
l-DOPA - ANSWER-Precursor necessary for the synthesis of DA. L-DOPA is formed by
the addition of a hydroxyl group to tyrosine by the enzyme TH. It is used to treat
Parkinson's disease by increasing DA formation.
locus coeruleus (LC) - ANSWER-Collection of noradrenergic neurons in the reticular
formation of the pons that supplies most of the NE to the cortex, limbic system,
thalamus, and hypothalamus. These cells cause arousal and increased attention
when active.
May be used broadly to include both NE- and EPI-related features.
albuterol (Ventolin) - ANSWER-Drug that selectively stimulates the β-adrenoceptor.
It is used in asthma treatments.
α-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) - ANSWER-Drug that inhibits TH activity, thereby
reducing catecholamine synthesis.
amphetamine - ANSWER-Psychostimulant that acts by increasing catecholamine
release in nerve cells.
apomorphine - ANSWER-Drug that is a D1 and D2 receptor agonist and causes
behavioral activation. It may also be used to treat erectile dysfunction by acting
through DA receptors in the brain to increase penile blood flow.
aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) - ANSWER-Enzyme that catalyzes the
removal of a carboxyl group from certain amino acids. It is responsible for the
conversion of DOPA to DA in catecholaminergic neurons and the conversion of 5-HTP
to 5-HT in serotonergic neurons.
atomoxetine (Strattera) - ANSWER-Selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitor used in
the treatment of ADHD.
behavioral supersensitivity - ANSWER-An increased response to a drug treatment as
a direct result of previous drug history or drug intake.
biogenic amine - ANSWER-A transmitter that is made by a living organism and
contains at least one amine group.
catalepsy - ANSWER-State characterized by a lack of spontaneous movement. It is
usually associated with D2 receptor blockers (a DA receptor subtype), but can also
be induced with a D1 blocker.
catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) - ANSWER-One of the enzymes responsible
for metabolic breakdown of catecholamines.
catecholamines - ANSWER-Group of neurotransmitters and hormones characterized
by two chemical similarities: a core structure of catechol and a nitrogen-containing
amine. They belong to a wider group of transmitters called monoamines or biogenic
amines.
clonidine (Catapres) - ANSWER-An α2-adrenergic agonist that stimulates
autoreceptors and inhibits noradrenergic cell firing. It is used to reduce symptoms of
opioid withdrawal.
, cocaine - ANSWER-Stimulant drug that blocks reuptake of DA, NE, and 5-HT by
neurons, thereby increasing their concentration in the synaptic cleft.
DA transporter (DAT) - ANSWER-Protein in the membrane of dopaminergic neurons
that is responsible for DA uptake from the synaptic cleft.
dexmedetomidine (Precedex) - ANSWER-Drug that stimulates α2-receptors,
characterized by its sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic effects. It is used to treat
surgical patients in intensive care.
dopamine (DA) - ANSWER-Neurotransmitter, related to NE and EPI, that belongs to a
group called catecholamines.
dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) - ANSWER-Enzyme that catalyzes the third step of NE
synthesis in neurons, the conversion of DA to NE.
dopaminergic - ANSWER-Adjectival form of DA.
entacapone (Comtan) - ANSWER-COMT inhibitor used in conjunction with l-DOPA to
treat Parkinson's disease.
guanfacine (Intuniv) - ANSWER-α2A-adrenergic agonist prescribed for the treatment
of ADHD. Guanfacine is believed to improve attention and memory by stimulating
α2A-adrenergic receptors in the prefrontal cortex.
haloperidol (Haldol) - ANSWER-A D2 receptor blocker that can induce catalepsy in
animals when administered in high doses. It is used clinically as an antipsychotic
agent.
homovanillic acid (HVA) - ANSWER-Major metabolite formed in the breakdown of DA.
6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) - ANSWER-Neurotoxin similar in structure to DA that
damages catecholaminergic nerve terminals and is used to study catecholamine
pathways.
isoproterenol - ANSWER-An agonist at β-adrenergic receptors.
l-DOPA - ANSWER-Precursor necessary for the synthesis of DA. L-DOPA is formed by
the addition of a hydroxyl group to tyrosine by the enzyme TH. It is used to treat
Parkinson's disease by increasing DA formation.
locus coeruleus (LC) - ANSWER-Collection of noradrenergic neurons in the reticular
formation of the pons that supplies most of the NE to the cortex, limbic system,
thalamus, and hypothalamus. These cells cause arousal and increased attention
when active.
