The effect of drugs on synaptic transfer
Brief summart of how some drugs increase or decrease synaptic transfer.
- Created by: Former Member
- Created on: 07-01-14 21:54
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- The effect of drugs on synaptic transfer
- Antagonists
- Some drugs block receptors so they can't be activated by neurotransmitters
- This means fewer (if any) receptors will be activated
- eg. curare blocks the effects of acetylcholine by blocking nicotinic cholinergic receptors at neuromuscular junctions, so muscle cells can't be stimulated. This results in the muscle being paralysed
- Inhibitors
- Some drugs inhibit the enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft to bind to receptors and they're there for longer
- eg. nerve gases stop acetylcholine from being broken down in the synaptic cleft. This can lead to loss of muscle control
- Some drugs stimulate the release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neurone
- eg. amphetamines
- Some drugs inhibit the release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neurone
- eg. alcohol
- Antagonists
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