Autonomic & Neuromuscular Pharmacology Explained | Section 2 – Brenner & Stevens’ Pharmacology (6th)

Описание: This unit provides an in-depth exploration of the pharmacology surrounding the autonomic and neuromuscular systems, focusing on how drugs influence involuntary and voluntary body functions. It breaks down the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems, highlighting the opposing effects of the sympathetic "fight or flight" and parasympathetic "rest and digest" divisions on target organs. You will study the synthesis, storage, and termination of key neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and norepinephrine, alongside the classification of their specific receptor subtypes, including muscarinic, nicotinic, alpha, and beta receptors. The material covers a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical agents, from direct-acting agonists used in glaucoma and dry mouth treatment to indirect-acting cholinesterase inhibitors essential for diagnosing and managing myasthenia gravis. Furthermore, the unit examines the critical role of cholinergic antagonists in surgery, the reversal of neuromuscular blockade, and the treatment of overactive bladder.
Moving into adrenergic pharmacology, the text details how catecholamines and non-catecholamines are utilized to manage life-threatening conditions like anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest. The discussion extends to modern therapeutic classes, such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, as well as the pervasive use of beta-blockers and selective alpha-antagonists in treating chronic cardiovascular diseases and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. By understanding the intricate mechanisms of signal transduction, such as G-protein coupling and second messenger systems like cyclic adenosine monophosphate and inositol triphosphate, students can grasp how autonomic medications modulate heart rate, vascular resistance, and respiratory function to achieve clinical stability. This unit provides the necessary foundation for understanding how the nervous system serves as a primary target for drug therapy across various medical disciplines.

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