What is the first step in drug development?
Identify the Target
Find a drug target (e.g., receptor that reduces pain) and study how compounds bind to it.
What is a lead compound in drug development?
Promising drug that undergoes detailed safety & efficacy studies
It is studied during preclinical studies before human testing.
What are the two main components studied in preclinical studies?
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Pharmacology studies the mechanism of action, while toxicology assesses potential harmful effects.
What is the purpose of Phase 1 clinical trials?
- Tests absorption
- Tests distribution
- Tests elimination
- Tests adverse effects
Focus is on tolerability, not efficacy, with 20–80 healthy volunteers.
What is the participant range for Phase 2 clinical trials?
100–500 patients
Phase 2 tests efficacy in treating the disease while continuing to monitor safety.
What is the main focus of Phase 3 clinical trials?
Licensing & marketing approval
Phase 3 tests safety & effectiveness vs. placebo or current therapy with a large population.
True or false: Only 1–2 compounds usually make it to Phase 3.
TRUE
Phase 3 is critical for large-scale drug approval.
What are the three types of drug interactions?
- Absorption
- Metabolism
- Excretion
These interactions can affect the efficacy and safety of drugs.
What does ADME stand for in pharmacology?
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
These factors determine the concentration of drug in the blood.
What is the formula for Therapeutic Index (TI)?
TI = TD50 / ED50
drug = good if TI exceeds the value of 10
TI shows the safety margin of a drug.
What are the main functions of the Cerebral Cortex?
- Sensory/motor coordination
- Intelligence
- Memory
- Vision
- Judgment
- Thought
- Speech
- Emotions
- Consciousness
It is the largest part of the brain, rich in neurons.
What does the Limbic System control?
- Emotion
- Memory
- Reward
- Behavior
It contains dopamine reward centers related to addiction.
What is the functional unit of the brain?
Neurons
Neurons generate & transmit electrical signals and are constantly changing through neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.
What are the three main parts of a neuron?
- Dendrites
- Cell Body (Soma)
- Axon
Dendrites receive signals, the cell body contains the nucleus, and the axon sends signals to the next neuron.
What is a synapse?
Junction between neurons (axon → dendrite/cell body)
It is where neurotransmission occurs.
What are the steps of neurotransmission?
- Impulse travels down axon
- Neurotransmitters released into synaptic cleft
- Neurotransmitters bind receptors on postsynaptic neuron
- Ions flow, generating new impulse
This process is crucial for communication between neurons.
What are the mechanisms for neurotransmitter removal?
- Reuptake into presynaptic neuron
- Enzymatic breakdown
- Diffusion/ Uptake by glial cells
These mechanisms help regulate neurotransmitter levels in the synapse.
What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter?
Glutamate
It is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter?
GABA
GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
What is the function of dopamine?
- Reward
- Motivation
- Motor control
Dopamine is linked to addiction and pleasure.
What are the two types of acetylcholine receptors?
- Nicotinic
- Muscarinic
Acetylcholine is involved in learning and memory.
What do drugs often target in the nervous system?
Neurotransmitters or their receptors
This targeting can enhance, inhibit, or interrupt synaptic transmission.
What releases neurotransmitters?
Vesicles
What support neurons; remove neurotransmitters
Glial cells
