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Stimulants (also known as central nervous system stimulants, or psychostimulants, or colloquially as uppers) are a class of drugs that increase the activity of the brain. They are used for various purposes, such as enhancing alertness , attention , motivation , cognition , mood , and physical performance .
Abnormal dopamine receptor signaling and dopaminergic nerve function is implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. [1] Dopamine receptors are therefore common drug targets. Dopamine receptors activate different effectors through not only G-protein coupling, but also signaling through different protein (dopamine receptor-interacting ...
In the brain of Alzheimer's patients, both neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors and NMDA receptors are known to be down-regulated. Thus, four anticholinesterases, such as Donepezil and Rivastigmine , have been developed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment in the U.S.A.
The mechanisms of sympathomimetic drugs can be direct-acting (direct interaction between drug and receptor), such as α-adrenergic agonists, β-adrenergic agonists, and dopaminergic agonists; or indirect-acting (interaction not between drug and receptor), such as MAOIs, COMT inhibitors, release stimulants, and reuptake inhibitors that increase the levels of endogenous catecholamines.
A stimulant is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system, increasing arousal, attention and endurance. Stimulants are used in psychiatry to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder . Because the medications can be addictive, patients with a history of drug abuse are typically monitored closely or treated with a non-stimulant.
The brain includes several distinct dopamine pathways, one of which plays a major role in the motivational component of reward-motivated behavior. The anticipation of most types of rewards increases the level of dopamine in the brain, [4] and many addictive drugs increase dopamine release or block its reuptake into neurons following release. [5]
A psychoactive drug, mind-altering drug, or consciousness-altering drug is a chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior. [1] The term psychotropic drug is often used interchangeably, while some sources present narrower definitions.
A parasympathomimetic drug, sometimes called a cholinomimetic drug [1] or cholinergic receptor stimulating agent, [2] is a substance that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). [3] [2] These chemicals are also called cholinergic drugs because acetylcholine (ACh) is the neurotransmitter used by the PSNS.