Chapter Objectives (1 of 2) By the end of this chapter, you should be able to: Summarize the different parts of the nervous system (central, peripheral, autonomic, and somatic) Describe how neurons communicate electrically and chemically Label and explain the parts of a neuron Explain the effects of various neurotransmitters Summarize the functions of the reticular activating system, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, and brain stem
Chapter Objectives (2 of 2) Identify the factors that influence the effects of drugs Describe how drugs interact with the different body systems Describe the additive, antagonistic, and synergistic effects of drugs. Contrast between pharmacological tolerance, behavioral tolerance, cross-tolerance, and reverse tolerance. List the mechanisms of how drugs can be administered and discuss the effects these different routes have on absorption rates.
Pharmacology Pharmacology : interaction between drugs and the living organism Relates to the way drugs are: Administered, absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted Dependent on: The properties of the drug itself The route of administration Amount or dosage Other drugs in the system Previous experience with the drug
Drug Actions Drugs affect the nervous system , which consists of: Central nervous system (CNS): brain and the spinal cord Peripheral nervous system (PNS) Autonomic nervous system (ANS) Neurons : nerve cells that function as messengers
Neuron (1 of 2) Contains two types of nerve fibers Dendrites receive nerve impulses Axons send impulses away from the cell Neurons sent messages electrochemically Messages between neurons are accomplished chemically Information within the neuron occurs electrically Neurotransmitters : chemical substances Electrical impulses originate in the dendrite and pass through the cell through the axon Action p otential : procedure of how nerve impulses are transmitted Synapse : the space between an axon and a dendrite
Neuron (2 of 2)
Actions of Drugs Neurotransmitters: manufactured in the vesicle of the neuron and travel to the synaptic space Causes the receiving cell to start an electrical impulse Drugs most likely have their major effect in the synaptic space Presynaptic drugs Drugs that impact the neuron responsible for causing the neurotransmitter to be released Postsynaptic drugs Drugs that impact the release, storage, and synthesis of neurotransmitters
Synaptic Transmission
Neurotransmitters Drugs affect brain activity by increasing or decreasing the activity of various neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters affect our emotions, movement, and cognition Some drugs mimic the action of neurotransmitters while others block their actions
Acetylcholine (ACH) One of the most common neurotransmitters in the brain Drugs that block the action of ACH receptors are called anticholinergic Functions Excitatory transmitter in the skeletal muscles Inhibitory in the heart muscle Processing memory and learning A number of hallucinogenic drugs impact the action of ACH and are referred to as anticholinergic hallucinogens
Serotonin Inhibitory neurotransmitter Plays a role in: Regulating pain, sleep, eating, sensory perception, body temperature Research suggests a link between low serotonin levels and depression Many depression medications are serotonin reuptake inhibitors that reduce the amount of serotonin being absorbed increasing the amount of serotonin Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition resulting from too much serotonin
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Inhibits nerve cells being sent from one neuron to another Drugs that stimulate GABA production leave one feeling relaxed Alcohol Low levels of GABA are linked with: Anxiety, epilepsy, chronic pain
Catecholamines Affect the emotional state Function repeatedly because they are reabsorbed by the neuron that discharges them reuptake Examples include: Dopamine Epinephrine Norepinephrine
Dopamine Plays a significant role in emotional, mental, and motor functions Dopamine activates the pleasure system in the brain Overproduction of dopamine produces feelings of euphoria strongly related to drug-seeking behavior Drugs that influence dopamine are: Marijuana, nicotine, heroin, and amphetamines Dopamine has also been associated with: Pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, and hypersexuality
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine During acute stress, epinephrine (AKA: adrenaline) is released Part of the fight-or-flight system Speeds up coronary blood flow and heart rate Norepinephrine Inhibits target neurons Increases motor activity
Peptides Substances of linked amino acids Endorphins Enkaphalins are endorphins in the brain Actions are similar to morphine and heroin Moderates one’s perception of pain Brain emits endorphins during stress and pain Also emits during strenuous exercise (i.e., runner’s high)
Central Nervous System Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Reticular Activating System Located in the brain stem Plays a role in sleep and wake cycles Filters out information as it enters the brain Allows a person to focus on important stimuli Susceptibility to drugs are high Implicated in hyperactivity Stimulants activate the RAS system, which may help those with hyperactivity disorder focus
Hypothalamus Located near the base of the brain Comparable to a central computer Maintains homeostasis Stress, heart rate, body temperature Linked to chemical and behavioral dependence
Cerebral Cortex Part that distinguishes humans from animals Located in the cerebellum Essential for thought processes and understanding information Influences personality and how we interpret emotions
Limbic System (1 of 2) The emotional center of the brain Sorts and stores memory related to emotions Brain’s reward circuit
Limbic System (2 of 2) The limbic system regulates emotions.
Medial Forebrain Bundle (MFB) Along each side of the hypothalamus Serves as a communication route between the limbic system and the brain stem The sensation of an orgasm starts here When the MFB is stimulated, a person feels pleasure
Basal Ganglia Located on both sides of the brain below the cerebral cortex Maintains involuntary muscle control
Periventricular System Comprised of nerve cells above and to either side of the hypothalamus Associated with punishment and avoidance behavior People experience discomfort when the periventricular system is activated
Brain Stem Connects the brain and spinal cord Consists of medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain Regulates vital functions (heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, vomiting reflex)
Peripheral Nervous System Serve as transmitting agents that link the body’s extremities to the brain and spinal cord Somatic Nervous System Control skeletal muscles Relay sensory information to the CNS Autonomic Nervous System Regulates blood pressure, gastrointestinal and urinary functioning, body temperature Sympathetic Nervous System Fight-or-flight Response Parasympathetic Nervous System Allows the body to achieve a resting state following an emergency
Body Systems (1 of 2) Endocrine System Release hormones Controlled by the hypothalamus Cardiovascular System Consists of the heart and blood vessels Alcohol can cause the heart muscle to degenerate Cocaine increases heart rate and blood pressure Smoked drugs interfere with ability of the blood to deliver oxygen
Body Systems (2 of 2) Respiratory System Depressants slow down respiration Combing depressants can cause a synergistic effect Stimulants increase respiration Gastrointestinal System Consists of esophagus, stomach, and intestines Alcohol irritates and inflames the stomach, small intestine, esophagus, and pancreas Alcohol mixed with aspirin can cause excessive internal bleeding the two shouldn’t be mixed
Factors Influencing the Effects of Drugs (1 of 6) The effects of a drug are based on their pharmacological or chemical makeup. There are other factors that impact the effects of a drug. What do you think the other factors are?
Factors Influencing the Effects of Drugs (2 of 6) Age Infants and the elderly are more susceptible to the effects of drugs Tolerance for alcohol lessens as people age Sex Impact of drugs based on chromosomal, hormone, and distribution of body fat as well as differences in brain structure and function. People with XX chromosomes (generally assigned female at birth) have a higher percentage of body fat and lower percentage of water, making them more susceptible to the actions of drugs because fat stores drugs and water dilutes the amount of the drug in the bloodstream.
Factors Influencing the Effects of Drugs (3 of 6) Dosage The amount of the drug consumed Threshold dose : smallest amount of the drug required to produce the desired effect Effective dose : the amount of the drug required to produce a specific response Lethal dose : the amount of the drug required to result in death Purity and Potency Purity: quality of a drug Potency: drug’s ability to produce a desired effect Rank these in order from most potent to least potent: heroin, aspirin, morphine
Dose-Response Curve
Factors Influencing the Effects of Drugs (4 of 6) Drug Interactions Some drugs cannot be mixed An estimated 25% of hospital admissions result from interactions between alcohol and some other medication Effects can be additive, antagonistic, or synergistic Additive: the cumulative effects of two drugs Antagonistic: drugs that negate the effects of other drugs Synergistic: the combined effects of two drugs are greater than if they were added together
Factors Influencing the Effects of Drugs (5 of 6) Tolerance A state of progressively decreasing responsiveness of a drug Pharmacological tolerance : body adjusts to the presence of the drug Behavioral tolerance : an person learns to adjust to the presence of the drug Cross tolerance: people who develop tolerance to a drug will develop tolerance to chemically similar drugs Reverse tolerance : a drug user will feel the desired effects from lesser amounts
Factors Influencing the Effects of Drugs (6 of 6) Set and Setting Set refers to the drug user’s psychological makeup, personality, mood, and expectations when using the drug Setting refers to the social and physical environment in which drugs are taken. Placebos: inert substances capable of producing an effect May provide relief for 30-40% of the patients they are prescribed for They are effective because of the expectations for the drug
Methods of Administration (1 of 2) List the different ways drugs can be taken into the body.
Methods of Administration (2 of 2) Oral Ingestion Injection Intravenous Intramuscular S ubcutaneous Topical application Inhalation
Summary Click the link to review the objectives for this presentation. Link to Objectives