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acetylcholine (ACh)
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major neurotransmitter of the cholinergic system
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adrenergic receptors
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mediate responses to epinephrine and norepinephrine; include alpha and beta receptors
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affinity
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strength of the attraction between a drug and its receptor
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
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most common neurodegenerative condition of the brain; characterized by significant changes in brain tissue
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apoptosis
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programmed cell death prompted by a signal and designed to replace old cells with new ones
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autoantibodies
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produced by the immune system and are directed against one or more of the individual’s own cells, tissues, and proteins instead of foreign invaders
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cholinergic receptors
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mediate responses to acetylcholine; include muscarinic and nicotinic receptors
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chronotropic
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the increase or decrease of the heart rate
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delusions
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false, fixed beliefs not shared by others
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diplopia
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double vision—seeing two images of a single object
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dysarthria
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difficulty speaking because of muscle weakness
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dysphagia
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difficulty swallowing
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hallucinations
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perceiving something to be real in the absence of actual stimuli (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, or tactile)
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intrinsic activity
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ability of a drug to activate a receptor upon binding
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microtubules
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components of a cell skeleton that provide structure and shape to cells, facilitate cell movement and cell division, and transport nutrients/substances within cells
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myasthenia gravis (MG)
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a progressive autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness and the onset of rapid fatigue
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neurotoxic
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drugs that alter the proper functioning of the nervous system
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norepinephrine
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neurotransmitter released by almost all of the postganglionic neurons of the SNS
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parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS)
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a division of the autonomic nervous system that carries the predominant tone in most organs with the exception of the blood vessels; responsible for the rest and digest functions
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parasympatholytic
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drugs that oppose the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system (also known as anticholinergic action)
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parasympathomimetic
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medications that activate the parasympathetic nervous system by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine
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postganglionic neuron
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neuron that goes from the ganglia to effector organs
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preganglionic neuron
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neuron that goes from the spinal cord to the ganglia and releases neurotransmitters
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ptosis
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drooping of the upper eyelid
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remission
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disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a disease
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steady state
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amount of drug eliminated equals the amount of drug within the circulation
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Stevens-Johnson syndrome
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hypersensitivity response to certain drugs characterized by lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, fever, malaise, and toxemia
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sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
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a division of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the fight-or-flight response