PSYCH261 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Neurotransmitter Receptor, Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor, Botulinum Toxin
25 Aug 2016
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The study of effects of drugs on nervous systems (cns) Drug effects: changes we can observe in an animal"s physiological process and behaviour. Drug: exogenous chemicals not needed for normal cellular functions but when taken will alter functions of certain cells in low doses. Tetrodotoxin: causes dizziness, vomiting, rapid heart rate, muscle paralysis, and coma or death. Two principles in psychopharmacology: route of drug administration, the fate of the drug in the body. Excreted by urine after it undergoes the degradation process in kidneys. Broken down by enzymes, excreted into urine or both. Transformed into inactive fragments administered and absorbed through tissues (e. g. intramuscular injection) through blood stream to different organ(s). Once there they will leave the bloodstream and interact with molecules. For almost all drugs, they must come in contact with the cns. Intravenous (iv) injection: into veins: enters bloodstream more directly but requires more skill.
