NURS 6630 Discussion Foundational Neuroscience

NURS 6630 Discussion Foundational Neuroscience

NURS 6630 Discussion Foundational Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the human central nervous system to understand the brain’s dysfunction that can lead to disease, mental disorders, and physical impairment (Karmarkar & Plassmann, 2019). The complex design of a neuron is the basic understanding of communication by sending impulses to other body organs. The brain controls human behavior and the functions of body organs. The anatomy and physiology of the brain help understand the part of the brain affected by mental illness. For example, poor concentration and cognitive skills dysfunction is the forebrain pathology. Additionally, one can understand the mode of action of psychopharmacology. For example, antidepressants may function by inhibiting the serotonin or epinephrine receptors.

An Agonist-To-Antagonist Spectrum of Action and How Partial and Inverse Agonists Influence Psychopharmacologic

An antagonist binds at the receptors by blocking any event of an agonist, hence, blocking the biological response. For example, naloxone is a competitive opioid antagonist and has no effects with opioid co-administration (Gicquelais, et al, 2019). An agonist binds to a receptor causing activation of the receptor, hence, the biological response. A partial agonist activates the receptors partially with lesser effect on the brain. For example, buprenorphine is a partial agonist, and therefore, an antagonist may block its opioid function without activating its receptors. An inverse receptor binds with constitutively active receptors and inhibits receptor activity by exerting opposite pharmacological effects that suppress spontaneous receptor signaling.

Comparison between Actions of G Couple Proteins and Ion Gated Channels

G coupled proteins GPCRs are integral membrane proteins that convert extracellular responses to hormones, neurotransmitters, olfaction, and taste signals. The GPCRs work by binding to the hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors to initiate a cellular response. The three types of G-couple receptors are alpha, beta, and gamma, in which the ligands bind and activate (Yudin & Rohacs 2019). Ion gated channels are integral membrane proteins of excitable cells that allow a flux of ions to pass only under defined circumstances. These channels are voltage-gated sodium channel neurons and ligand-dated acetylcholine receptors of the cholinergic synapses. The ion gated channel pull and bonds to the agonist changing the protein while g coupled proteins are used by the cells to convert intracellular signals into responses.

The Role of Epigenetics In the Pharmacologic Action

Epigenetics regulate gene activity by switching off the gene activity or activating the gene activity. Epigenetics plays a role in the phenotypic activity of the cell in diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Epigenetics modify gene expressions after drug administration to counteract the disease states in humans. Epigenetics proves its effectiveness in treating psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders to its ability to modify gene expressions.

The Significance of the Information to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

A psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner should have basic knowledge of the concepts of foundational neuroscience. Understanding the function of agonists, inverse and partial agonists, and antagonists prevent co-administration of drugs that agonize and antagonize the same receptors. For example, in treating a patient with a depressive mood disorder, prescribing antipsychotics such as fluphenazine worsens the depressive mood because it antagonizes the dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors depressing the release of the hypothalamic hormone.

References

Gicquelais, R. E., Bohnert, A. S., Thomas, L., & Foxman, B. (2020). Opioid agonist and antagonist use and the gut microbiota: associations among people in addiction treatment. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-76570-9

Karmarkar, U. R., & Plassmann, H. (2019). Consumer neuroscience: Past, present, and future. Organizational Research Methods, 22(1), 174-195.

https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1094428117730598

Yudin, Y., & Rohacs, T. (2019). The G‐protein‐biased agents PZM21 and TRV130 are partial agonists of μ‐opioid receptor‐mediated signalling to ion channels. British journal of pharmacology, 176(17), 3110-3125. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14702

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, it is essential for you to have a strong background in foundational neuroscience. In order to diagnose and treat clients, you must not only understand the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, but also how medications for these disorders impact the central nervous system. These concepts of foundational neuroscience can be challenging to understand. Therefore, this Discussion is designed to encourage you to think through these concepts, develop a rationale for your thinking, and deepen your understanding by interacting with your colleagues.

Required Readings

Note: All Stahl resources can be accessed through the Library using this link. This link will take you to a log-in page for the Library. Once you log into the library, the Stahl website will appear.

Stahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (4th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press *Preface, pp. ix–x

Note: To access the following chapters, click on the Essential Psychopharmacology, 4th ed tab on the Stahl Online website and select the appropriate chapter. Be sure to read all sections on the left navigation bar for each chapter.

Chapter 1, “Chemical Neurotransmission”

Also Read: NURS 6630 Discussion Reflect On Concepts Of Foundational Neuroscience

Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our Verified MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS:NURS 6630 Discussion Foundational Neuroscience

Chapter 2, “Transporters, Receptors, and Enzymes as Targets of Psychopharmacologic Drug Action”

Chapter 3, “Ion Channels as Targets of Psychopharmacologic Drug Action”

Document: Midterm Exam Study Guide (PDF)

Document: Final Exam Study Guide (PDF)

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016i). Introduction to psychopharmacology [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.

Accessible player

Optional Resources

Laureate Education (Producer). (2009). Pathopharmacology: Disorders of the nervous system: Exploring the human brain [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 15 minutes.

Dr. Myslinski reviews the structure and function of the human brain. Using human brains, he examines and illustrates the development of the brain and areas impacted by disorders associated with the brain.

Accessible player

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Introduction to advanced pharmacology [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes.

In this media presentation, Dr. Terry Buttaro, associate professor of practice at Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences, discusses the importance of pharmacology for the advanced practice nurse.

Accessible player

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review this week’s Learning Resources.

Reflect on concepts of foundational neuroscience.

Pharmacological agents produce both agonist and antagonist actions in different receptors in the human body. The agonist and antagonist actions of pharmacological agents work against one another. The agonists combine with the receptor to produce an action in the body. On the other hand, antagonist action hinders or opposes the action by a receptor, thereby, leading to a failure of an occurrence of an event. The effect of agonists is attributed to the combination it has with compounds or chemical substances to promote the desired action while that of antagonist entails the combination with chemicals or blockage of neurotransmitters to cause interference with action. Partial and inverse agonists have an effect on the efficacy of psychopharmacological agents. Partial agonists bind to a specific receptor to produce partial efficacy at that receptor that is relative to the effect of full agonist. The partial enhancement of the actions of the receptor results in a net decline in the activation of the receptor hence, average activity of the receptor in producing the desired action. Inverse agonists work by binding to a receptor as an antagonist to produce an action that is opposite to that of the agonist (Demler, 2019). Inverse agonists mimic the agonist activity of the receptors, hence, the desired therapeutic activity of psychopharmacological agents.

G-couple proteins and ion-gated channels are the mechanisms in which cells communicate to produce actions. They comprise of the cell-surface receptors that play the roles of signal transfer in multicellular organisms. The two however differ in a number of aspects. Ion-gated channels have receptors that bind to a ligand to cause opening of channels via membranes to allow the passage of specific ions. Ion-gated channels do not allow the passage of fatty acids and amino acids because they are hydrophobic in nature. Ion-gated channels therefore mediate rapid, post-synaptic responses. G-proteins channels on the other hand have receptors that bind and active G-protein on cell membranes. The activation of G-proteins results in cyclic series that cause entry of proteins such as amino acids and fatty acids into the cell to produce action (Hood & Khan, 2020). The G-proteins therefore mediate slow post-synaptic responses.

Epigenetics has a role in pharmacologic actions of drugs. Firstly, changes in the expression of enzymes that metabolize drugs may affect the action as well as metabolism of a drug. For example, changes in enzymes due to aspects such as DNA methylation affects the metabolism of drugs, leading to their altered effectiveness. The addition of methyl group to the cytosine pyrimidine ring causes silencing of transcription, thereby, hindering the binding of co-activators and transcription factors that are needed for metabolism and action of drugs. The second influence of epigenetics is the genetic variations in the transporters of drugs. A genetic change in the transporters of drugs such as ATP binding cassette transporters and solute carrier transporter affect the binding and action of pharmacological agents (Castelo-Branco & Jeronimo, 2020).

The above information will affect my prescribing of medications to patients. For instance, it will translate into my understanding of the disease process and the targets of the medications that I prescribe to the patients. The implication of the information also entails the need for comprehensive patient assessment to identify any relevant patient history that may affect the effectiveness of the prescribed medications. I should also be aware of the contraindications of specific medications to patients with history of allergies or comorbid conditions (Hood & Khan, 2020). Therefore, the information will inform my safe prescribing in my professional role as an advanced practice nurse.

References

Castelo-Branco, P., & Jeronimo, C. (2020). Histone Modifications in Therapy. Elsevier Science.

Demler, T. L. (2019). Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice, Revised Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Hood, P., & Khan, E. (2020). Understanding Pharmacology in Nursing Practice. Springer Nature.

I also believe the use of buspirone is in order because it is an anxiolytic drug, and beyond that, off-labeled buspirone is being used for the augmentation of unipolar depression. Although buspirone originally was developed as an antipsychotic but was found ineffective for psychosis, it had useful anxiolytic features (Wilson, 2023). Buspirone has recently gained popularity, largely because it has fewer side effects than other anti-anxiety treatments. Buspirone is primarily used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is an FDA-approved drug used to treat anxiety disorders and for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms.

However, it is important to understand the appropriate indications, doses, side effects, and toxicities before initiating buspirone therapy. The patient should also be educated on how to use drugs safely and ensure correct dosages. Additionally, in rare cases where there is evidence of substance abuse, healthcare professionals have a responsibility to ensure that patients are using buspirone only for legitimate purposes.

In addition, the patient should be educated to avoid taking alcohol as well some juices such as grapefruit while on buspirone, because talking alcohol while on this medication can lead to increased drowsiness and feeling lightheaded and even more severe problems such as problems with muscle control, memory, and breathing. Grapefruit on the other hand can change the way the drug moves through the body, potentially leading to excess absorption of buspirone in the body (Cuncic, 2022).

References

Cuncic, A. (2022). BuSpar Uses, Side Effects, and Dosages. https://www.verywellmind.com/buspar-treatment-of-social-anxiety-disorder-3024958

Wilson T. K., Tripp, J. (2023). Buspirone. StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531477/