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A.5 Neuropharmacology

IB Syllabus Statements

Understandings:

  • Some neurotransmitters excite nerve impulses in postsynaptic neurons and others inhibit them.

  • Nerve impulses are initiated or inhibited in post-synaptic neurons as a result of summation of all excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters received from presynaptic neurons.

  • Many different slow-acting neurotransmitters modulate fast synaptic transmission in the brain.

  • Memory and learning involve changes in neurons caused by slow-acting neurotransmitters.

  • Psychoactive drugs affect the brain by either increasing or decreasing postsynaptic transmission.

  • Anesthetics act by interfering with neural transmission between areas of sensory perception and the CNS.

  • Stimulant drugs mimic the stimulation provided by the sympathetic nervous system.

  • Addiction can be affected by genetic predisposition, social environment and dopamine secretion.

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Applications and skills:

  • Application: Effects on the nervous system of two stimulants and two sedatives.

  • Application: The effect of anesthetics on awareness.

  • Application: Endorphins can act as painkillers.

  • Skill: Evaluation of data showing the impact of MDMA (ecstasy) on serotonin and dopamine metabolism in the brain.

Video

Neurotransmitters and Synapses

Ecstacy, Endorphins, Anaesthetics

Excitation and Inhibition

Drug Addiction and Psychoactive Drugs

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Topic A.5 Pharmacology SSaQ (Syllabus Statement as Questions)

  • Outline the risks of speeding up drug approval processes.

  • Explain how nerve impulses can excite or inhibit nerve impulses in post-synaptic neurons, depending on the neurotransmitters.

  • Explain the effects of slow-acting neurotransmitters on memory and learning, and fast synaptic transmission in the brain.

  • Explain how nerve impulses are initiated and inhibited in post-synaptic neurons.

  • Outline the effect of psychoactive drugs on the brain.

  • Explain the effect of anesthetics on neural transmission.

  • Explain how stimulant drugs work.

  • Outline how genetic predisposition, social environment and dopamine secretion may affect addiction.

  • Give three examples of stimulants.

  • Give three examples of sedatives.

  • Outline the effects of two stimulants and two sedatives on the nervous system.

  • Outline the effect of anesthetics on awareness.

  • Explain how endorphins act as painkillers.

  • Explain how you would evaluate data showing the effect of MDMA on serotonin and dopamine metabolism in the brain.

  • Explain how attitudes towards drugs, and their use, differ globally.

  • Outline the therapeutic use of psychoactive drugs.

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