Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders and Medications

Overview

• Topic: Central nervous system disorders and medications used for treatment.
• Focus Areas: How CNS functions, communication between neurons, definitions, and classifications of CNS disorders.

CNS Communication

• Components: Brain, Spinal Cord, Neurons
• Function: Signal transmission via action potentials (electrical charge) through nerve cells
  • Movement of sodium and potassium ions creates action potentials
  • Release of neurotransmitters at synapse
• Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers released from one neuron to receptor sites on another
  • Selective release and response by different neurotransmitters and receptor sites

Important Neurotransmitters

• GABA: Inhibitory neurotransmitter; slows down responses creating a calming effect.
  • Conditions: Low levels linked to anxiety, seizures, bipolar disorder, impulse control issues.
• Serotonin: Influences mood, sleep, temperature regulation, libido.
  • Related Medications: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) for depression.
• Dopamine: Impacts motor responses, cognition, and sympathetic nervous system functions (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate).
  • Conditions: ADHD, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease.
• Norepinephrine & Epinephrine: Sympathetic adrenergic system role, affects alertness, mood, anxiety.
  • Conditions: Imbalances can lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks.

Synaptic Process

• Action at Synapse: Neurotransmitters released from presynaptic neuron to bind on the postsynaptic neuron.
  • Excess Neurotransmitters: Diffusion, reuptake by the presynaptic neuron, or breakdown by enzymes (e.g., Monoamine oxidase - MAO)

CNS Disorders and Associated Medication Classes

Anxiety

• Description: Mood and behavior disturbances impacting ADLs.
• Symptoms: Physical issues (aches, GI upset), racing heart, trembling, sweating, difficulty concentrating, emotional disturbances (crying, agitation).
• Treatment: Pharmacological (medications), Non-pharmacological (relaxation techniques, psychotherapy, support groups).

Depression

• Description: Clinical depression involves a collection of 5 or more markers consistently impacting ADLs.
• Symptoms: Suicidal ideation is a major risk; physical, emotional, and psychological markers.
• Treatment: Medications, Psychotherapy, Group Therapy, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

Bipolar Disorder

• Description: Drastic mood swings between manic and depressive phases.
• Symptoms: Hyperactivity, no need for sleep, mood swings, manic high and depressive low periods.
• Treatment: Medications, Psychotherapy, ECT, Group Therapy.

Schizophrenia

• Description: Breakdown of reality connection; usually appears between ages 15-30.
• Symptoms: Delusions, hallucinations, personal care neglect, energy decrease.
  • Types of Symptoms: Positive (delusions, hallucinations), Negative (apathy, lack of motivation), Cognitive (poor decision making, memory loss).
• Treatment: Symptom control, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

ADHD

• Description: Hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, emotional control issues.

Seizures

• Description: Abnormal neuron activity; hyperexcitable neurons causing massive firing.
• Types:
  • Partial Seizures: Simple (one hemisphere, one area affected), Complex (cognitive impairment).
  • Generalized Seizures: Involves both hemispheres, affects motor and cognitive functions.
  • Status Epilepticus: Continuous seizure activity, life-threatening.

Parkinson's Disease

• Description: Chronic progressive disorder, breakdown of myelin sheath on neurons
• Symptoms: Tremors, slow movement (bradykinesia), shuffling gait, stooped posture, mood swings.
• Neurotransmitter Involved: Dopamine, particularly in extra-pyramidal system.
• Treatment: Focus on dopamine availability and function.

Next Steps

• Future videos will discuss individual disorders and related drug classifications for pharmacological treatment.