Drugs interacting with neurotransmitters?

Question

List three basic ways in which drugs can interact with neurotransmitters. for each manner of interaction name the drug that interacts in this fashion, and the neurotransmitter that the drug influences.

Answer 1

Drugs can inhibit neurotransmitter activity by blocking the associated receptors at the synapse (e.g. curare blocks acetylcholine which produces paralysis).

Drugs can enhance neurotransmitter activity by inhibiting its reuptake at the synapse or by blocking the actions of enzymes that break down the neurotransmitter (e.g. SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft incrase the availability of serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake and MAOI antidepressants block the enzymes that breakdown norepinephrine and serotonin).

Drugs can also mimic the action of neurotransmitters (e.g. stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines mimic norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain).