NR 320 PSYCHOBIOLOGY/PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY CHAPTER 4 NERVOUS SYSTEM CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM made of the BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD PERIPHERAL

AL NERVOUS SYSTEM made of VOLUNTARY MUSCLES and SENORY AND MOTOR NEURONS AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM o SYMPATHETIC (norepinephrine)-prepares body for immediate action, dominant in stress situations o PARASYMPATHETIC (acetylcholine)-opposite of sympathetic BRAIN STRUCTURE CEREBRUM-largest part of human brain; left hemisphere-logic and solving problems; right hemispherecreative, affect, behavior, spatial-perceptual functions FRONTAL LOBE-voluntary body movement-speaking, thinking, judgment, express feelings PARIETAL LOBE-sensory information-touch, pain, taste, body position TEMPORAL LOBE-hearing, short-term memory, sense of smell OCCIPITAL LOBE-visual reception and interpretation THALMUS-integrates all sensory input; some involvement with emotions and mood LIMBIC SYSTEM-emotional brain; fear, anxiety, anger, love, joy, hope HIPPOCAMPUS-memory AMYGDALA-emotional processing NEURON-specialized cells; process information; transmit electrochemical impulses SENSORY-external and internal environment MOTOR-mediates behavior; stimulates glands/organs COMMUNICATION-transmit signals COMPUTATION-processes information NEURON TYPES FAST, EXCITATORY-(acetylcholine, norepinephrine)-strong, immediate response FAST, INHIBITORY-(gamma-aminobutyric acid)-balance nervous system; tells brain to slow down; allows info to be processed SLOW, NEUROMODULATOR (substance P)-slow, long lasting activities i.e. digestion NEURON GROUPS (table in chapter) CHOLINERGICS-fast excitatory Acetylcholine-movement and memory; Increased-depression; Decreased-Alzheimers MONOAMINES-fast excitatory Dopamine-movement/coordination, emotions, voluntary judgment; increased-schizophrenia, mania; Serotonin-sleep and arousal, libido, appetite, mood, aggression, coordination, judgment; decreased-depression AMINO ACIDS-fast inhibitory Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-slowdown of body activity; decrease-anxiety disorders NEUROPEPTIDES-slow neuromodulators Substance P-regulation of pain

HOW PSYCHOTROPIC (NEUROLEPTIC) MEDS WORK 1. SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN RECEPTORS 2. INCREASE AMOUNT OF NEUROTRANSMITTER 3. STOP THE REUPTAKE OF NEUROTRANSMITTER Each neurotransmitter has receptors specific to itself. Psychotropic-reuptakes block reuptake of neurotransmitters by the transporter proteins-causes elevated level of extracellular neurotransmitter. ANTAGONISTS- causes reduction in transmission and decreased neurotransmitter activity AGONISTS-increase neurotransmitter activity by direct stimulation of specific receptors PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS (ACTIONS/SIDE EFFECTS) ANTIDEPRESSANT-work at synaptic cleft or inside preneuron; block serotonin reuptake o Reduces depression o Relief of severe pain o Prevent panic attacks Tricyclic Antidepressant-inhibit reuptake, block receptors o Extremely dangerous in overdose situation o Tend to be sedating o Orthostatic hypotension o Weight gain o Anticholinergic effects Heterocyclics (atypicals)-reuptake block, receptor antagonist MAOI-stops oxidase from breaking down monoamine; increase NE o Hypertensive crisis o Interact with a significant number of other medications o Orthostatic hypotension o Tyramine containing food is restricted SSRI-inhibit reuptake of serotonin o Greater than 50%of all new antidepressants are for an SSRI o Better tolerated o All of the SSRIs are equally effective o Much safer in an overdose o Similar side effects o Antianxiety agents as well as antidepressants o Recent approval for use in GAD, PTSD, PMMD, social anxiety disorder SNRI (selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) ANTIANXIETY-treatment of disorders with prominent anxiety or agitation ANTIPSYCHOTIC Typical antipsychotic o Extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyschogenia in 30-50% of patients o Minimal improvement in negative symptoms of schizophrenia o Failure to improve cognition o Poor compliance and increased relapse Atypical antipsychotic o Minimal EPS

o Effects upon both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis/schizophrenia o Markedly reduced side effects o Improvement in cognition MOOD STABILIZERS-bipolar disorder; lithium; anticonvulsant