Home › Academic Library › PHARM-05
[PHARM-05] Central Nervous System (CNS) Pharmacology: Epilepsy, Psychiatry, Neurodegeneration & Anaesthesia
PHARM-05 • 2. PharmacologyLearning Objectives
Match first-choice antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to seizure types (GTCS, focal, absence, myoclonic, status epilepticus) and teratogenicity profiles.; Compare SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, atypical antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers ([11.24] Lithium) with toxicity monitoring.; Explain dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson's disease ([11.36] Levodopa + Carbidopa) and NMDA/cholinesterase therapy in Alzheimer's disease ([11.37] Donepezil, [11.38] Memantine).
Chapter Overview & Core Explanation
CNS drugs restore balance between excitatory neurotransmitters (like glutamate) and inhibitory neurotransmitters (like GABA), or modulate monoamine circuits (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline) that govern mood, movement, sleep, and consciousness.
Key Exam & Clinical Takeaways
- Carbidopa inhibits peripheral DOPA decarboxylase (does not cross BBB), increasing central Levodopa availability 4-fold and reducing peripheral nausea and cardiac arrhythmias.
- [11.24] Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window (0.6–1.2 mEq/L maintenance); thiazide diuretics ([3.18] HCTZ), ACE inhibitors, and NSAIDs decrease renal lithium clearance and precipitate toxicity.