5. MONOAMINES Flashcards
What are 4 monoamine systems & their neuronal cell bodies?
- Noradrenergic - locus coerculus
- Dopaminergic - VTA (ventral tegmental area) & Substantia Nigra
- Serotonin - Raphe nuclei
- Acetlylcholine - Basal forebrain, brain stem complexes
What is the diffuse modulatory system?
- The monoamine systems have a diffuse-modulatory effect
- This means that the effect is modulatory rather than direct inhibition or excitation like GABA & Glycine
- They have a slower, widespread effect compared to point to point communication . Neurotransmitters are released & then diffuse out to their receptors
What is the noradrenergic system?
- The noradrenergic system uses the neurotransmitter Noradrenaline or norepinephrine
What are the functions of noradrenaline?
- Mood
- Arousal
- Wakefulness
- Exploration
- Blood pressure regulation
What’s the neuronal cell body for the noradrenergic system & it’s projections?
- The neuronal cell body is located in the LOCUS COERCULUS
- It projects to cortical regions, hypothalamus, amygdala, spinal cord, cerebellum etc.
Describe the synthesis & storage of noradrenaline
- Noradrenaline is synthesised from dopamine
- Tyrosine -> L-DOPA -> Dopamine -> Noradrenaline
- DOPAMINE BETA HYDROXYLASE is the enzyme involved in converting Dopamine to Noradrenaline
- NA is stored in vesicles by the transporter VMAT
Describe the re-uptake & degradation of Noradrenaline
- Re-uptake by of NA NERT/NET (Noradrenaline re-uptake transporters) into pre-synaptic neurone
- Can be metabolised by MONOAMINE OXIDASE which terminates NA activity
- Can also be degraded by Catechol-O-methyltransferase
Where can noradrenaline receptors be found & what are the three types?
- Noradrenaline receptors are G-protein coupled receptors
- They can be located post-synaptically & pre-synaptically
1. Alpha 1
2. Alpha 2
3. Beta
What are the effects of the alpha 1 NA receptor?
- Alpha 1 receptors = PLC
- Converts PIP2 -> DAG + IP3
- Increase in intracellular Ca2+ = smooth muscle contraction
What are the effects of the alpha 2 NA receptor?
- Alpha 2 can act as an autoreceptor, meaning it can have an inhibitory effect
- Alpha 2 is negatively coupled to Adenylate cyclase = decreased cAMP & Ca2+. Inhibits NA release
What are the effects of the beta NA receptor?
- The beta receptor is positively linked to adenylate cyclase = increased cAMP & Ca2+
- Causes smooth muscle relaxation & contraction of cardiac muscle
What do reserpine & amphetamine do?
- Both reserpine & amphetamine are drugs affecting the noradrenergic system
- Reserpine - blocks NA re-uptake, depletes NA stores causing an accumulation of NA
- Amphetamine - enters vesicles & displaces NA, leading to NA accumulation
What is the dopaminergic system & it’s neuronal body ?
- The dopaminergic system uses the neurotransmitter dopamine which is a monoamine & catecholamine
- The cell body of dopaminergic neurones is located in the VTA (Ventral Tegmental area) & the Substantia Nigra which project to various areas of the brain forming 4 pathways
What are the four pathways of the dopaminergic system?
- NIGRO-STRIATAL
- MESOLIMBIC
- MESOCORTICAL
- TUBERO-HYPOPHYSEAL PATHWAY
What is the nigrostriatal pathway of the dopaminergic system?
- Projects from substantia nigra to the striatum of the basal ganglia
- Involved in motor control
- Disorders e.g Parkinsons - degradation of nigro striatal neurones
What is the mesolimbic pathway of the dopaminergic system?
- Mesolimbic pathway projects from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens of the basal ganglia
- Involved in pleasure & reward
- Hyperactivity of mesolimbic pathway is associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia
What is the mesocortical pathway of the dopaminergic system?
- Mesocortical pathway projects from the ventral tegmental area to the prefrontal cortex
- Involved in motivation, emotion & other cognitive functions
What is the tubero-hypophyseal pathway of the dopaminergic system?
- Dopamine is released from the hypothalamus & transported to pituitary via circulation
- Acts to inhibit prolactin release