Summarizing scheme grouping drugs

Neuropsychology

Grouping based on neurotransmitter systems
1. Adenosinergic antagonist
• Indirect effect: increase glucose production → higher cellular activity → more energy available
Caffeine
• Agonist for dopamine and acetylcholine: enhanced wakefulness, concentration & motor coordination
2. Cholinergic agonist
• Acetylcholine agonist
Nicotine • Low doses: stimulant, high doses: dampens neuronal activation
• Also effect on: dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine
3. GABAergic agonist
• Most well known
Alcohol
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• Minor tranquilizers
Benzodiazepines • Anti-anxiety medication (temporary purposes, seizures and insomnia)
• High doses: anesthetize or coma
4. Glutamatergic antagonists
• Dissociation
Pcp
• Also effects on acethylcholine (antagonist) and dopamine (agonist)
• Dissociation
Ketamine
• Anesthesia
5. Dopaminergic agonist
• Block dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake
Cocaine
• Crack (inhaled)
• Release of dopamine and norepinephrine + blocks reuptake
• Increases serotonin metabolism:
(meth)amphetamine o Dopamine → focus
o Norepineprhine → arousal
o Serotonin → feelings of coherence and stability

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