Pharmacological and Physiological Antagonism

Pharmacological and Physiological Antagonism

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read the required chapters from the text and review the required articles for this week. Alcohol and caffeine have nearly opposite effects on behavior and the nervous system, yet these substances are not used to treat overdose or addiction to the other. Why not use caffeine to treat alcohol addiction? Analyze the issues of pharmacological and physiological antagonism. Explain the receptor systems involved and the central nervous system structures effects with regard to this question. Frame your analysis in terms of drug action first and other consequences second.

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Introduction

PHARMACOLOGICAL ANTAGONISM is a type of antagonism between two drugs wherein one serves as an agonist at a particular receptor site and the other serves as an antagonist at the same receptor site. PHARMACOLOGICAL ANTAGONISM: “The pharmacological antagonism between the three drugs is apparent, but it is not yet known which two of the three are causes the disruption.”Physiological antagonism is the process where one agonist is antagonized by another agonist of a different receptor that triggers a contrary or neutralizing signal transduction cascade. For example, serotonin and TXA contract vascular smooth muscle while PGI is a potent vasodilator. Accordingly, PGI is a physiological antagonist of serotonin (and vice versa).
Physiological Adaptations are internal systematic responses to external stimuli in order to help an organism maintain homeostasis. Behavioral Adaptations are activities that an organism does to help it survive in its natural habitat. These behaviors can be learned or instictive…..