NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
Walden University NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory-Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
The introduction for the Walden University NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
How to Write the Body for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
After the introduction, move into the main part of the NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
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Sample Answer for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
Agonist to Antagonist Spectrum of Action
The mechanisms of psychopharmacologic medications is to work at the sites of neurotransmission and there effects are based on a spectrum of agonist to an antagonist. An agonist is a molecule that is similar to the effects of a neurotransmitter by binding and stimulating the receptor site to produce a response (Berg & Clarke, 2018). An antagonist opposes the outcome of the agonist, which blocks the action of neurotransmission. Antagonists are referred to as mediators of therapeutic actions in psychiatric disorders and the cause of undesirable effects (Berg & Clarke, 2018). The spectrum of agonist to antagonist consist of a full agonist, partial agonist, silent antagonist, and inverse agonists. The full agonist allows the receptor to fully open the ion channel, which provides signal transduction to occur (Berg & Clarke, 2018). The partial agonist occurs when the receptor has a resting state. The silent antagonist returns the receptor to a resting state. Inverse agonist cause receptor change and the closing of ion channels (Berg & Clarke, 2018). Depending on where a specific psychopharmacological drug is located on the agonist to antagonist spectrum determines the interaction with the targeted receptor.
G Couple Proteins and Ion Gated Channels
G couple proteins represent the most abundant family membrane proteins in the human genome, that is activated by a spectrum of structurally diverse ligands (Li et al., 2016). There are seven different protein segments that transmit signals for binding sites for neurotransmitters (Li et al., 2016). This process allows for therapeutic drug interations to occur. Once the drugs attach to the receptor sites, a full of partial blocking function of neurotransmitters occurs. The molecular changes can be affected by drug actions and cause changes or determine which enzymes, receptors, or ion channels are modified by neurotransmission (Li et al., 2016). Ion gated channels are electrically controlled. Unlike ions, G couple proteins can diffuse through the membrane, which can change a cells behavior and ions can not diffuse due to their charge (Li et al., 2016). A comparison of both ion channels and G protein linked receptors is the agonist spectrum. Medications that change the flow of ions can cause a clinical effect, unlike drugs that target G protein linked receptor sites, which take a longer timeframe (Li et al., 2016).
Epigenetics
The role of epigenetics determines if some genes will become a specific RNA and protein, or if it will turn off, based on the structure of chromatin, neurotransmission, genes, drugs, or the environment (Weinhold, 2017). All of these factors affect the brain in a variety of ways and can result in ineffective information processing. Ineffective information processing can increase the risk of psychiatric disorders. Epigenetics also affect the way a drug work for different individuals. Drugs may not be designed to be specific to a particular gene or protein subtype. The drugs may have to be more broad-acting (Weinhold, 2017).
Prescribing
An example of a case in which a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner must be aware of a medication action was for a patient with a diagnosis of Bipolar. The drug of choice was Lithium, which is a mood stabilizer. Lithium has a lot of potential side effects both minor and major. It is the responsibility of the health care provider to thoroughly explain drug side effects and the expected action of the drug. The nurse practitioner explained to the patient the need for routine blood work to ensure compliance and monitor Lithium levels. The patient was required to receive weekly labs and medication management to prevent Lithium toxicity. It is important to be aware of the mechanism of action of medications to know when and what effects will take place. Lithium acutely stimulates the NMDA receptor, increasing glutamate availability in the postsynaptic neuron (“Lithium,” 2020). As a future psychiatric nurse practitioner I can utilize the content of this discussion post to impact the prescribing of medication to my patients. The information has afforded me a basis of knowledge on pathophysiology and how medication impact the central nervous system. The data also teaches me that in addition to writing prescriptions, it is vital to have background information regarding the effects drugs have on receptor sites, if the agents act as a neurotransmitter or agonist, or if the agents block the receptor sites (Berg & Clarke, 2018).
References
Berg, K. A., & Clarke, W. P. (2018). Making sense of pharmacology: Inverse agonism and functional selectivity. International Journal of
Neuropsychopharmacology, 21(10), 962–977. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyy071
Li, S., Wong, A. C., & Liu, F. (2016). Ligand-gated ion channel interacting proteins and their role in neuroprotection. Frontiers in Cellular
Neuroscience, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2014.00125
Lithium. (2020). Reactions Weekly, 1810(1), 130–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40278-020-80150-1
Weinhold, B. (2017). Epigenetics: The science of change. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(3). https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.114-
Sample Answer 2 for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
Receptors and neurotransmitters are like a lock-and-key system. Just as it takes the right key to open a specific lock, it takes the right neurotransmitter to bind to a specific receptor. Not surprisingly, as it concerns psychopharmacology, the pharmacotherapeutics that are prescribed must trigger the release of certain neurotransmitters that bind to the correct receptors in order to elicit a favorable response for the patient. The mechanism of this binding and the response that follows reflects receptor theory and lies at the foundation of pharmacology.
I really enjoyed reading your article, it was very informative. However, in addition to your points about the agonist-antagonist spectrum, I will like to share additional insight I found interesting too.
According to Berg and Clarke (2018), Agonists have intrinsic efficacy (the ability to increase the activity of a receptor), and inverse agonists are said to have negative intrinsic efficacy (the ability to decrease the activity of a receptor). Just as agonist intrinsic efficacy for a receptor varies with the structure of the agonist (resulting in strong agonists and weaker [partial] agonists), inverse agonists also have different degrees of negative intrinsic efficacy, resulting in strong and weak (partial) inverse agonists.
Inverse agonists are ligands that selectively bind to the inactive state of the receptor (Kenakin, 2017). If any receptor happens to be in an active state spontaneously, then an inverse agonist will reverse the resultant constitutive activity. However, the main pharmacological effect of inverse agonists is receptor antagonism, that is, inverse agonists will block the effect of agonists and the effect on constitutive activity is only relevant if the system is spontaneously active (Kenakin, 2017). There is a property of inverse agonists that may be therapeutically relevant in nonconstitutively active systems (Kenakin, 2017).
References
Berg, K. A., & Clarke, W. P. (2018). Making sense of pharmacology: Inverse agonism and functional selectivity. The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology, 21(10), 962–977. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyy071
Kenakin, T. P. (2017). Pharmacology in Drug Discovery and Development (Second Edition). ScienceDirect. Retrieved June 10, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803752-2.00004-1
This week, you will continue your examination of neuroanatomy and neuroscience as you engage with you colleagues in a Discussion. You will also explore the potential impacts of foundational neuroscience on the prescription of pharmacotherapeutics.
Sample Answer 3 for NURS 6630 Week 2 Neurotransmitters and Receptor Theory
On the cellar level the ligand gated ion channel an agonist can bind to a receptor and cause the same phycological response as a natural ligand. An antagonist binds to the receptor and do not cause a phycological response but block that receptor preventing the natural ligand from going into that receptor. For example, most antipsychotic drugs act as dopamine receptor antagonist. Blocking reuptake of dopamine (Howland, 2016). Some antipsychotic drugs also act as inverse agonist at the serotonin receptor causing an opposite effect. An inverse agonist produces a opposite effect of the agonist.
In regard to the efficacy of a drug treatments, the NP has to provide a very good patient assessment to provide the patient with an accurate diagnosis. The NP having knowledge, can correctly prescribe the drug (agonist, antagonist or reverse agonist) that will act on the on the targeted neurotransmitter to produce the desired effect in the patient.
Ion gated channels pull and bond to the agonist changing the protein. G coupled proteins are proteins used by the cell to convert intracellular signals into responses (Zhao, Deng, Jiang, Oing, 2016).
Epigenetics is modifications in gene expression that is controlled by various fundamental epigenetic mechanisms leading to various physical and psychiatric diseases. As a result, traditional treatment may often prove ineffective with these patients because these mechanisms regulate cellular and gene expression, just to name a few (Rasool, et al., 2015).
As practitioner, my patient assessment may also include an education and discussion concerning pharmacogenomics. Particularly, if the patient comes to me after having been on various medication treatments that were unsuccessfully. Knowledge of a medications action is important for example; treating a patient with Bipolar I that is exhibiting depression symptoms but also reported that he maxed out his credit card last week on video games. With the knowledge that an antidepressant should not be given because the action of the antidepressant would cause the patient to go into mania.
References
Berg, K., A., Clarke, W., P. (2018). Making Sense of Pharmacology: Inverse Agonism and
Functional Selectivity, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, Volume 21, Issue 10, October 2018, Pages 962–977, https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyy071
Howland, R. H. (2016). Pimavanserin: An inverse agonist antipsychotic drug. Journal of
Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 54(6), 21-24. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3928/02793695-20160523-01
Rasool, M., Malik, A., Naseer, M. I., Manan, A., Ansari, S., Begum, I., Qazi, M. H., Pushparaj,
P., Abuzenadah, A. M., Al-Qahtani, M. H., Kamal, M. A., & Gan, S. (2015). The role of epigenetics in personalized medicine: challenges and opportunities. BMC medical genomics, 8 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1755-8794-8-S1-S5
Zhao, J., Deng, Y., Jiang, Z., Oing, H. (2016). G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in
Alzheimer’s Disease; A Focus om BACE1 Related GPCRs. Frontier in Aging Neuroscience., https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00058
Learning Objectives
Students will:
• Analyze the agonist-to-antagonist spectrum of action of psychopharmacologic agents
• Compare the actions of g couple proteins to ion gated channels
• Analyze the role of epigenetics in pharmacologic action
• Analyze the impact of foundational neuroscience on the prescription of medications
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Also Read:
NURS 6630 Week 1 Introduction to Neuroanatomy
NURS 6630 Assignment Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
NURS 6630 Assignment Treating Pediatric Patients With Mood Disorders
NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With challenging Disorders
NURS 6630 Discussion Psychiatric Mental Health
NURS 6630 Discussion The Impact of Ethnicity on Antidepressant Therapy
NURS 6630 treatment of Insomnia
NURS 6630 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
NURS 6630 characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder
NURS 6630 Case Study 53-year-old Puerto Rican Female with Comorbid Addiction
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In T. A. Stern, M. Favo, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum. (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics (pp. 1–19). Elsevier.
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
The University of British Columbia. (n. d.). Neuroanatomy videos. http://neuroanatomy.ca/videos.html
Note: Please review all of the media under the neuroanatomy series.
Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce)
Pathopharmacology: Disorders of the Nervous System: Exploring the Human Brain
Dr. Norbert 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. (15m)
Introduction to Advanced Pharmacology
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. (6m)
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Discussion: Foundational Neuroscience
As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, it is essential for you to have a strong background in foundational neuroscience. In order to diagnose and treat patients, 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.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Cultura RF
For this Discussion, review the Learning Resources and reflect on the concepts of foundational neuroscience as they might apply to your role as the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in prescribing medications for patients.
By Day 3 of Week 2
Post a response to each of the following:
1. Explain the agonist-to-antagonist spectrum of action of psychopharmacologic agents, including how partial and inverse agonist functionality may impact the efficacy of psychopharmacologic treatments.
2. Compare and contrast the actions of g couple proteins and ion gated channels.
3. Explain how the role of epigenetics may contribute to pharmacologic action.
4. Explain how this information may impact the way you prescribe medications to patients. Include a specific example of a situation or case with a patient in which the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner must be aware of the medication’s action.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6 of Week 2
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days in one of the following ways:
• If your colleagues’ posts influenced your understanding of these concepts, be sure to share how and why. Include additional insights you gained.
• If you think your colleagues might have misunderstood these concepts, offer your alternative perspective and be sure to provide an explanation for them. Include resources to support your perspective.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 2 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 of Week 2 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 2
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 2 Discussion
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What’s Coming Up in Week 3?
Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images
Next week, you will explore medication adherence and strategies to help overcome non-adherence to pharmacotherapeutics. You will also complete a Quiz that addresses the content covered throughout this module.
Next Week
To go to the next week:
Week 3
Rubric Detail
Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
Content
Name: NURS_6630_Week2_Discussion_Rubric
• Grid View
• List View
Excellent
Point range: 90–100 Good
Point range: 80–89 Fair
Point range: 70–79 Poor
Point range: 0–69
Main Posting:
Response to the Discussion question is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Thoroughly responds to the Discussion question(s).
Is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.
No less than 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth.
Supported by at least three current credible sources. Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Responds to most of the Discussion question(s).
Is somewhat reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
50% of the post has exceptional depth and breadth.
Supported by at least three credible references. Points Range: 31 (31%) – 34 (34%)
Responds to some of the Discussion question(s).
One to two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed.
Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.
Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
Post is cited with fewer than two credible references. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 30 (30%)
Does not respond to the Discussion question(s).
Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria.
Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.
Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
Contains only one or no credible references.
Main Posting:
Writing Points Range: 6 (6%) – 6 (6%)
Written clearly and concisely.
Contains no grammatical or spelling errors.
Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Written concisely.
May contain one to two grammatical or spelling errors.
Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Written somewhat concisely.
May contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors.
Contains some APA formatting errors. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Not written clearly or concisely.
Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors.
Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Posting:
Timely and full participation Points Range: 9 (9%) – 10 (10%)
Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation.
Posts main Discussion by due date. Points Range: 8 (8%) – 8 (8%)
Posts main Discussion by due date.
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Meets requirements for full participation. Points Range: 7 (7%) – 7 (7%)
Posts main Discussion by due date. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 6 (6%)
Does not meet requirements for full participation.
Does not post main Discussion by due date.
First Response:
Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources. Points Range: 9 (9%) – 9 (9%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Responds to questions posed by faculty.
The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Points Range: 8 (8%) – 8 (8%)
Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting. Points Range: 7 (7%) – 7 (7%)
Response is on topic, may have some depth. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 6 (6%)
Response may not be on topic, lacks depth.
First Response:
Writing Points Range: 6 (6%) – 6 (6%)
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in Standard, Edited English. Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues.
Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed.
Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources.
Response is written in Standard, Edited English. Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication.
Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.
Few or no credible sources are cited. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication.
Response to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
First Response:
Timely and full participation Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation.
Posts by due date. Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Meets requirements for full participation.
Posts by due date. Points Range: 3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Posts by due date. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Does not meet requirements for full participation.
Does not post by due date.
Second Response:
Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources. Points Range: 9 (9%) – 9 (9%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Responds to questions posed by faculty.
The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Points Range: 8 (8%) – 8 (8%)
Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting. Points Range: 7 (7%) – 7 (7%)
Response is on topic, may have some depth. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 6 (6%)
Response may not be on topic, lacks depth.
Second Response:
Writing Points Range: 6 (6%) – 6 (6%)
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.
Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.
Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.
Response is effectively written in Standard, Edited English. Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues.
Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed.
Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources.
Response is written in Standard, Edited English. Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication.
Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.
Few or no credible sources are cited. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication.
Response to faculty questions are missing.
No credible sources are cited.
Second Response:
Timely and full participation Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation.
Posts by due date. Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Meets requirements for full participation.
Posts by due date. Points Range: 3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Posts by due date. Points Range: 0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Does not meet requirements for full participation.
Does not post by due date.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6630_Week2_Discussion_Rubric