Applied Neuropharmacology

Question 1

Name examples of neurotransmitters

Answer 1

Acetylcholine 
Monoamines 
Amino acids 
Purines 
Neuropeptides 
NO

Question 2

What are the physiological functions affected by dopamine?

Answer 2

Vomiting
Voluntary movement
Emotions

Question 3

Where is dopamine distributed within the brain?

Answer 3

Brainstem
Basal ganglia
Limbic system and frontel cortex

Question 4

How is dopamine linked to Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 4

Degeneration of dopamine cells in substantia nigra leading to dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia

Question 5

What is the synthesis line for dopamine?

Answer 5

Glycine, alanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine

Question 6

What is the basic route of dopamine metabolic breakdown?

Answer 6

Dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/3-methoxytryptamine, homovanillic acid

Question 7

What are the 2 subgroups of dopaminergic drugs?

Answer 7

Dopamine precursor

Dopamine agonists

Question 8

What is the main dopamine precursor drug?

Answer 8

Levodopa

Question 9

What are the main dopamine agonist drugs?

Answer 9

Bromocriptine
Ropinirole
Pramipexole
Apomorphine

Question 10

Name the main subgroups of enzyme inhibitors?

Answer 10

Peripheral AAAD inhibitors
MOAB inhibitors
COMT inhibitors

Question 11

What are some examples of peripheral AAAD inhibitors?

Answer 11

Carbidopa

Benserazide

Question 12

What is the function a peripheral AAAD inhibitor?

Answer 12

Reduces peripheral side effects of levodopa, allows greater proportion of dose to reach CNS

Question 13

Name an example of an MOAB inhibitor?

Answer 13

Selegiline

Question 14

Name an example of a COMT inhibitor?

Answer 14

Entacapone

Question 15

What is the function of a COMT inhibitor?

Answer 15

Reduces metabolism of dopamine, increasing the effectiveness of levodopa

Question 16

What is the particular disadvantage associated with enzyme inhibitors?

Answer 16

Can have no effect on synthetic dopamine agonists

Question 17

What are the advantages of dopamine antagonists?

Answer 17

Improve nausea, vomiting and psychosis

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of dopamine antagonists?

Answer 18

Worsen or cause Parkinson’s and rigidity and bradykinesia in the limbs

Question 19

What is the clinical name given to the ‘vomiting centre’

Answer 19

Area postrema

Question 20

Where is the area postrema located?

Answer 20

Medulla (functionally outside the brain blood barrier)

Question 21

What are the advantages of domperidone?

Answer 21

Does not cross brain blood barrier
No antipsychotic properties
Relatively safe to use on Parkinson’s

Question 22

What is domperidone?

Answer 22

Dopamine antagonist and anti emetic

Question 23

What is dyskinesia?

Answer 23

Abnormal involuntary movements

Question 24

What is the function of noradrenaline?

Answer 24

Reuptake blockers

Question 25

What is one of the main neurological benefits of GABA?

Answer 25

Anti-epileptic | Anti-anxiety properties

Question 26

What are some of the neurological uses of serotonin; 5-HT?

Answer 26

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are antidepressants | Triptans used for migraines