Slide 8 of 24
Notes:
Many drugs increase the availability of selected neurotransmitters by blocking their reuptake. Recall that neurotransmitters (NTs) are chemical messengers released by terminal buttons at the synapse.
Direct agonist: Eg. Opiate drugs (temporary high like the natural opiates, endorphins, we have in the brain).
Antagonist: Occupies the receptor site but doesn’t stimulate the receptor like a foreign coin that fits in the candy machine but won’t let you have the candy!
E.g. botulin poison (paralysis) that block ACh
