Psychopharmacology (Drugs and Behavior )
What are the four criteria for neurotransmitter (NT) identification? - (correct Answer) - Chemical (as well
as the enzymes responsible for its synthesis and catabolism) must be present in the presynaptic terminal
of pathway examined
•
Chemical must be released from the examined pathway upon electrical and/or normal stimulation of cell
• The exogenous placement of the chemical onto adjacent cell should mimic effects produced by natural
or electrical stimulation of secreting cell
• Compounds that block effects of the naturally or electrically stimulated release of NTs on adjacent cell
should affect suspected chemical in similar fashion
Where in the synapse drug can produce their effects? Describe five possible sites of action. - (correct
Answer) - Pre-synaptic Synthesis
Vesicles
Post Synaptic receptors
Synaptic cleft
Autoreceptors
3. Name monoamine neurotransmitters and explain why they are called such. How are monoamines are
grouped into separate classes? - (correct Answer) - They named so because they are made up of one
amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (-CH2-CH2-
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Serotonin
Describe the synthesis of dopamine (DA). Name all precursors and enzymes involved in DA synthesis. -
(correct Answer) - Tyrosine → Tryosine hydroxylase enzyme→ Dopa →Amino Acid Decarboxylase-->
Dopamine
What is the rate-limiting factor in DA synthesis - (correct Answer) - Tyrosine hydroxylase
Describe dopamine receptors and briefly explain how they produce cellular effects. - (correct Answer) -
D1 And D5
- Turns on second messenger pathway (cAMP)
, - Makes cell more likely to fire (indirect excitation)
D2,D3, D4
- Turns off second messenger pathway (cAMP; indirect inhibition)
- Opens K+ channels (direct inhibition)
What enzymes are responsible for breakdown of DA - (correct Answer) - MAO and COMT
Name one agonist and one antagonist at any DA receptor. - (correct Answer) - SKF38393 agonist D1
SH23390 Antagonist
blocks D1
receptors
Name one agonist and one antagonist at any norepinephrine (NE) receptor. - (correct Answer) - Albuterol
—Agonist beta-receptors, 1-2←preferred
Yohimbine--Antagonist --Alpha-2
What does reserpine do for living? - (correct Answer) - blocks NE and DA from returning to VMAT
allowing MAO to destroy it
Briefly describe three dopaminergic pathways in the brain and their respective functions - (correct
Answer) - -Mesolimbic Involved in emotion and reward (VTA -Mid-brain / nucleus accumbens limbic)
-Mesocoritical pathway Involved in emotion and reward (VTA-Frontal Cortex)
-Nigrostriatal Tract Involved in movement substantia nigra to the striatum
Where in the brain the majority of NE neurons originate? - (correct Answer) - locus coeruleus
What behavioral effects does DA mediate? - (correct Answer) - Motor effects
Motivation
Learning
Reward
Cognitive function
What behavioral effects does NE mediate? - (correct Answer) - Arousal
Attention (vigilance)
Feeding
Blood pressure
What are the four criteria for neurotransmitter (NT) identification? - (correct Answer) - Chemical (as well
as the enzymes responsible for its synthesis and catabolism) must be present in the presynaptic terminal
of pathway examined
•
Chemical must be released from the examined pathway upon electrical and/or normal stimulation of cell
• The exogenous placement of the chemical onto adjacent cell should mimic effects produced by natural
or electrical stimulation of secreting cell
• Compounds that block effects of the naturally or electrically stimulated release of NTs on adjacent cell
should affect suspected chemical in similar fashion
Where in the synapse drug can produce their effects? Describe five possible sites of action. - (correct
Answer) - Pre-synaptic Synthesis
Vesicles
Post Synaptic receptors
Synaptic cleft
Autoreceptors
3. Name monoamine neurotransmitters and explain why they are called such. How are monoamines are
grouped into separate classes? - (correct Answer) - They named so because they are made up of one
amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (-CH2-CH2-
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Serotonin
Describe the synthesis of dopamine (DA). Name all precursors and enzymes involved in DA synthesis. -
(correct Answer) - Tyrosine → Tryosine hydroxylase enzyme→ Dopa →Amino Acid Decarboxylase-->
Dopamine
What is the rate-limiting factor in DA synthesis - (correct Answer) - Tyrosine hydroxylase
Describe dopamine receptors and briefly explain how they produce cellular effects. - (correct Answer) -
D1 And D5
- Turns on second messenger pathway (cAMP)
, - Makes cell more likely to fire (indirect excitation)
D2,D3, D4
- Turns off second messenger pathway (cAMP; indirect inhibition)
- Opens K+ channels (direct inhibition)
What enzymes are responsible for breakdown of DA - (correct Answer) - MAO and COMT
Name one agonist and one antagonist at any DA receptor. - (correct Answer) - SKF38393 agonist D1
SH23390 Antagonist
blocks D1
receptors
Name one agonist and one antagonist at any norepinephrine (NE) receptor. - (correct Answer) - Albuterol
—Agonist beta-receptors, 1-2←preferred
Yohimbine--Antagonist --Alpha-2
What does reserpine do for living? - (correct Answer) - blocks NE and DA from returning to VMAT
allowing MAO to destroy it
Briefly describe three dopaminergic pathways in the brain and their respective functions - (correct
Answer) - -Mesolimbic Involved in emotion and reward (VTA -Mid-brain / nucleus accumbens limbic)
-Mesocoritical pathway Involved in emotion and reward (VTA-Frontal Cortex)
-Nigrostriatal Tract Involved in movement substantia nigra to the striatum
Where in the brain the majority of NE neurons originate? - (correct Answer) - locus coeruleus
What behavioral effects does DA mediate? - (correct Answer) - Motor effects
Motivation
Learning
Reward
Cognitive function
What behavioral effects does NE mediate? - (correct Answer) - Arousal
Attention (vigilance)
Feeding
Blood pressure
