Author Question: What is a pharmacological reason for receptor down-regulation? What will be an ideal ... (Read 39 times)

javeds · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

What is a pharmacological reason for receptor down-regulation?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

John Key has been injecting the drug Sopor to get high four to six times daily for a month. In addition to the euphoria experienced, the drug induces low blood pressure, low heart rate, pupillary constriction, and constipation.

If John were to immediately stop taking Sopor, what might the abstinence syndrome look like and what would be its likely time course (described in terms of duration and intensity)?

What will be an ideal response?

mirabriestensky · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Greater than normal activity at receptors, either because a drug agonist activates them or the drug enhances the levels of the neurotransmitters for those receptors

Answer to Question 2

The abstinence syndrome would consist of effects generally opposite to the direct effects of the drug, e.g., dysphoria, high blood pressure, tachycardia, pupillary dilation, and diarrhea. Since it was necessary for John to take the drug this often to get high, it indicates that the drug was relatively shortacting; thus, withdrawal would likely to be relatively intense but short-lasting, e.g., a few days.