LESSON 10
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULANTS
Section I. BACKGROUND
10-1. INTRODUCTION TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
a. Many people are familiar with the class of drugs known as CNS stimulants.
Unfortunately, most people are aware of these agents because of the abuse/misuse
associated with these drugs. The central nervous system stimulants do have a variety
of medically approved uses. This subcourse lesson will focus on those uses.
b. This lesson will introduce you to the topic of CNS stimulants, how they act,
their approved uses, and drugs representative of the drug class. Much has been written
on CNS stimulants. If you wish to learn more about these agents, you should obtain an
appropriate reference (see the lesson on reference selection, lesson 1 of this
subcourse).
10-2. OTHER DRUGS WHICH ACT UPON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
This lesson will focus on drugs that stimulate the central nervous system. There
are, as you know, many classes of drugs that have other effects on the central nervous
system. These drug classes include sedative and hypnotic agents (lesson 7),
antianxiety agents (lesson 9), and anti-psychotic agents (lesson 9), centrally acting
skeletal muscle relaxants (SC MD0805), and anticonvulsants (lesson 8). You should be
familiar with the types of responses produced by these agents because, as you know,
desirable.
10-3. CLASSIFICATION OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (STIMULANTS)
a. Central nervous system stimulants excite the nerve cells of the central
nervous system. These agents are classified according to their main site of action and
their primary pharmacological effects. Following are the three categories of agents:
(1)
Cerebral of psychomotor agents.
(2)
Analeptics (brain stem stimulants).
(3)
Convulsants (spinal cord stimulants).
MD0804
10-2