Psychopharmacology: Drugs, the Brain, and Behavior
acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA) - (correct Answer) - Precursor necessary for ACh synthesis.
acetylcholine (ACh) - (correct Answer) - Neurotransmitter involved with the central and peripheral
nervous system and synthesized by the cholinergic neurons. It is the target of many of the deadliest
neurotoxins.
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) - (correct Answer) - Enzyme that controls levels of ACh by breaking it down
into choline and acetic acid.
arecoline - (correct Answer) - Chemical from the seeds of the betel nut palm Areca catechu that
stimulates muscarinic receptors.
atropine - (correct Answer) - Drug found in nightshade, Atropa belladonna, and henbane, Hyoscyamus
niger, that blocks muscarinic receptors.
autoimmune disorder - (correct Answer) - Condition in which the immune system attacks part of one's
own body.
basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS) - (correct Answer) - Collection of cholinergic nerve cells that
innervates the cerebral cortex and limbic system structures. Damage to this system contributes to the
symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) - (correct Answer) - Anticholinergic drug used to treat early symptoms
of Parkinson's disease.
choline - (correct Answer) - Precursor necessary for ACh synthesis.
choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) - (correct Answer) - Enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of ACh from
acetyl CoA and choline.
choline transporter - (correct Answer) - Protein in the membrane of the cholinergic nerve terminal
involved with the uptake of choline from the synaptic cleft.
cholinergic - (correct Answer) - Adjectival form of ACh.
d-tubocurarine - (correct Answer) - Poison that targets muscle nicotinic receptors, blocking cholinergic
transmission.
depolarization block - (correct Answer) - Process in which the resting potential across the cell membrane
is lost. The neuron cannot be excited until the membrane is repolarized.
desensitized - (correct Answer) - Altered receptor state characterized by a lack of response to an agonist.
dry-mouth effect - (correct Answer) - State characterized by a reduction in saliva production as a result of
muscarinic antagonism. Its technical name is xerostomia.
acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA) - (correct Answer) - Precursor necessary for ACh synthesis.
acetylcholine (ACh) - (correct Answer) - Neurotransmitter involved with the central and peripheral
nervous system and synthesized by the cholinergic neurons. It is the target of many of the deadliest
neurotoxins.
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) - (correct Answer) - Enzyme that controls levels of ACh by breaking it down
into choline and acetic acid.
arecoline - (correct Answer) - Chemical from the seeds of the betel nut palm Areca catechu that
stimulates muscarinic receptors.
atropine - (correct Answer) - Drug found in nightshade, Atropa belladonna, and henbane, Hyoscyamus
niger, that blocks muscarinic receptors.
autoimmune disorder - (correct Answer) - Condition in which the immune system attacks part of one's
own body.
basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS) - (correct Answer) - Collection of cholinergic nerve cells that
innervates the cerebral cortex and limbic system structures. Damage to this system contributes to the
symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) - (correct Answer) - Anticholinergic drug used to treat early symptoms
of Parkinson's disease.
choline - (correct Answer) - Precursor necessary for ACh synthesis.
choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) - (correct Answer) - Enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of ACh from
acetyl CoA and choline.
choline transporter - (correct Answer) - Protein in the membrane of the cholinergic nerve terminal
involved with the uptake of choline from the synaptic cleft.
cholinergic - (correct Answer) - Adjectival form of ACh.
d-tubocurarine - (correct Answer) - Poison that targets muscle nicotinic receptors, blocking cholinergic
transmission.
depolarization block - (correct Answer) - Process in which the resting potential across the cell membrane
is lost. The neuron cannot be excited until the membrane is repolarized.
desensitized - (correct Answer) - Altered receptor state characterized by a lack of response to an agonist.
dry-mouth effect - (correct Answer) - State characterized by a reduction in saliva production as a result of
muscarinic antagonism. Its technical name is xerostomia.
