Cholinergic Pharmacology

• What is the focus of Cholinergic Pharmacology?

  Effects on the autonomic nervous system
• What should you understand about cholinergic transmission?

  Different types within the autonomic nervous system
• How can cholinergic transmission be stimulated or inhibited?

  Using specific drugs and agents
• What neurotransmitter is primarily involved in cholinergic transmission?

  Acetylcholine (ACh)
• What are the types of acetylcholine receptors mentioned?

  Muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
• What is the effect of muscarinic receptor agonists on cardiovascular function?

  Cardiac slowing and vasodilatation
• What is the primary clinical use of drugs affecting muscarinic receptors?

  Treating glaucoma with eye drops
• What are the symptoms of atropine poisoning summarized as?

  Mad, blind, dry, red, hot
• What does "mad as a hatter" refer to in atropine poisoning?

  Excitatory CNS effects and agitation
• What does "blind as a bat" indicate in atropine poisoning?

  Pupil dilation and impaired near vision
• What does "dry as a bone" signify in atropine poisoning?

  Decreased salivation and dry mouth
• What does "red as a beet" describe in atropine poisoning?

  Marked facial flushing
• What does "hot as a pistol" refer to in atropine poisoning?

  Elevated body temperature due to sweating blockade
• What happens to heart rate with atropine administration?

  Mild increase in heart rate
• What is the effect of atropine on GI motility?

  GI motility is slightly inhibited
• What is the effect of nicotine on ganglia?

  Stimulates both sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia
• What is the mechanism of action of non-depolarizing blocking drugs?

  Competitive inhibition at the motor endplate
• What is the effect of organophosphate poisoning?

  Enhancement of ACh activity at synapses
• What is the primary cause of Myasthenia Gravis?

  Autoimmune response causing loss of nAChRs
• What is the treatment for Myasthenia Gravis?

  Tubocurare or anti-acetylcholinesterases
• What are the learning outcomes of the study material?

  • Name types of cholinergic transmission
  • Identify cholinergic receptors and mechanisms
  • Recognize stimulators and inhibitors of cholinergic receptors
  • Deduce responses to agonists and antagonists
• What are the effects of agonists and antagonists on cholinergic receptors?

  • Agonists stimulate cholinergic receptors
  • Antagonists inhibit cholinergic receptors
  • Responses vary based on receptor type and location