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Content/Objectives:
1. Introduction: Emphasize terminology.
2. Review of NS structure-concepts, functions and terminology.
3. Describe NS cell types and Communication.
4. List examples of classes of neurological disorders.
5. List diagnostic aids and examinations.
6. Discuss why we study CNS drugs.
7. Describe a simple functional organization of the CNS.
8. Discuss neuronal communication- Action Potential and Synaptic
Transmission.
9. Discuss neurotransmission and neuromodulation.
10. List sites for action of neuro-active drugs.
Outcome/Expectations:
1. Familiar with terminology in CNS diseases and pharmacology.
2. Know basic nervous system (NS) structure & function.
3. Know NS cell types and how they communicate.
4. Know examples of neurological/psychiatric disorders.
5. Know basic diagnostic aids/examinations in CNS disorders.
6. Know a simple functional organization of the CNS.
7. Know how neurones communicate- action potential and synaptic
transmission/neuromodulation
8. Know the sites for action of neuro-active drugs.
Female
…, suggest that male brains may be optimized for motor skills and female brains may
be optimized for combining analytical and intuitive thinking. R. Verma et al., PNAS, Dec 2,
2013
Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
1: Introduction: Concepts and terminology:
• Nervous system: comprises the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
• Subdivided into central and peripheral nervous systems
Page 18
Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
•Functional Classification: According to direction in which they
conduct impulses:
Connexon = 6 Connexins
Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
•Fast transmitters can also act as neuromodulators by their actions at
different receptor subtypes.
•A neurotransmitter may be excitatory –cause postsynaptic cell to
move towards or fire an action potential (AP) or inhibitory prevent
the postsynaptic cell from firing APs.
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Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
7. Functional organization:
• Microanatomy: Cellular organization of CNS
• Nuclei: aggregate of neurons performing identical function.
• Three types of arrangements:
Astrocyte
Ependymal
Synapse
Dr SBK Pathophysiology
332/Pharmacol334-2010
Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
• Transmitters that do this are Excitatory-excite cells
• Classical e.g. are glutamate and acetylcholine
• Transmitters may also act on channels to cause anions (Cl-) to
enter the neuron increasing negativity of potential-
hyperpolarization. Cells are less likely to fire APs
• Such transmitters are called Inhibitory-prevent cell from firing
APs e.g. GABA and glycine.
• When transmission is in 10s of millisecond range (10-3 sec)-fast
transmitter e.g. glutamate, GABA or glycine etc. Responsible
for most synaptic transmission.
• When in 100s of ms-slow transmitter-neuromodulation e.g.
GABA, Glu, dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, Acetylcholine
(Ach).
Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
9. Neurotransmitters/neuromodulators:
• Conventional transmitters: ACh, Norepinephrine (NE),
dopamine(DA), Glutamate, GABA/Glycine, serotonin(5-HT).
• All these (except NE & DA) can engage in fast synaptic
transmission when they activate certain receptors (receptor-
ion channels complexes)
• Neuromodulators: Engage in slow transmission e.g. ACh,
Norepinephrine (NE), dopamine(DA), Glutamate, GABA,
serotonin(5-HT), peptides, Adenosine, NO etc.
• Act on another set of receptors (second messenger-coupled
receptors). May employ G-proteins (cyclic guanine
nucleotide binding proteins).
• Act mainly to increase (depolarize excite) or decrease
(hyperpolarize inhibit) membrane potential.
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Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
• Summary of general functions of receptors:
• NE ( a & b adrenoceptors)
• Reward system and mood.
• Arousal state-RAS
• Blood pressure regulation
• DA (D1-D5)
• motor control of nigrostriatal pathway
• Complex behavior/cognition-mesolimbic pathway
• Endocrine control-tuberoinfundibular pathway
• 5-HT( 5-HT1-7)
• Hallucinations
• Sleep, wakefulness and mood
• Control of sensory transmission
Intro. CNS Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
• Autonomic and endocrine function
• ACh ( nicotinic & muscarinic [1-5])
• Motor control-basal ganglia
• Arousal, learning and memory
Sources:
1: From Neuron to Brain by Kueffler, Nicholls and Martin
2: The Biochemical Basis of Therapeutics by Cooper, Bloom,
Roth.
3: Pharmacology by Rang, Dale, Ritter & Gardner.
4: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics by Goodman &
Gilman.
5: Fundamentals of Psychopharmacology by B. Leonard.
6: From Molecules to Networks by Byrne and Roberts
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