Acetylcholine and Dopamine Flashcards
What is the use of acetylcholine?
It’s used to act at neuromuscular junctions to allow motor neurones to activate muscle. Uses salivary glands. Makes you cry.
Name one of the acetylcholine pathways.
Nucleus basalis pathway. Septohippocampal pathway. Substantia nigra to thalamus pathway.
What enzyme converts Choline (diet + recycled) + Acetyl-CoA (Krebs Cycle) into Acetylcholine?
Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT).
What transporter is used in acetylcholine storage into vesicles?
Vesicular acetylcholine transporter.
What ion is responsible for acetylcholine release thorough membranes?
Calcium.
Name the two types of receptors responding to acetylcholine.
Nicotinic. Muscarinic.
What happens to acetylcholine before it is re-uptaken?
It is degraded to choline. (Unusual!).
How is acetylcholine converted into choline and acetic acid?
Acetylcholinesterase.
How does botulinus toxin relax your muscles in your face?
Blocks acetylcholine release.
Suxamethonium (for general anaesthesia and nicotine are full agonists acting on which receptors?
Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors.
Varenacline is a partial agonist, used to treat which addiction?
Nicotine.
Atropine, ipratropium, benztropium and procyclidine all act on which receptors?
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Benztropium and procyclidine are both used to treat which movement disorder?
Parkinsonism.
What is the action of hemicholinium?
It prevents the re-uptake of acetylcholine.
What is the action of endophonium, neostigmine, physostigmine, galantamine and rivastigmine (CNS)?
They prevent the degradation of acetylcholine, to increase its concentration at sites of cholinergic transmission.
What is the antidote to neostigmine?
Atropine (reversible antagonist).
State 3 diseases affected by acetylcholine.
Dementia (learning and memory). Myasthenia gravis (NMJ). Parkinson’s (motor control). Motion sickness (vestibular control). Analgesia (pain).
What is the action of suxamethonium?
An anaesthetic.
What is the action of carbachol?
Treats glaucoma.
What is the action of varenacline?
Treats nicotine addiction.
What is the action of atropine?
Eye inflammation. Slows heart rate. Decrease saliva production during surgery.
What pathway is affected in Parkinson’s disease?
Nigrostriatal pathway.
What converts tyrosine in diet into DOPA?
Tyrosine hydroxylase.
What converts DOPA into dopamine?
Dopa decarboxylase.
What transporters are used in dopamine storage?
Vesicular monoamine transporter.
What ion is dopamine dependent on?
Calcium.
Which receptors does Dopamine act?
G-protein coupled receptors.
What is DAT used for?
Dopamine active transporter - ensures dopamine re-uptake.
What substance is used in the blood and urine to determine dopamine levels?
Homovanilic acid.
Name 2 of the enzymes used in the breakdown of dopamine.
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Monoamine oxidase (MAO). Aldehyde dehydrogenase.
What is Levo DOPA used for?
It’s used in the synthesis of Dopamine. Crosses the blood-brain barrier.
What drug is used in to prevent the storage of dopamine?
Reserpine. Methamphetamine.
What is the role of amantadine?
Dopamine release.
DA, apomorphine and bromocriptine are all…
Full agonists acting on dopamine receptors.
Haloperidol and chlopromazine are all…
Antagonists acting on dopamine receptors.
What is the function of cocaine, bupropion and methylpenidate on dopamine?
Prevent re-uptake.
How does phenelzine and selegiline prevent the degradation of dopamine?
MAO inhibitors.
How does entacapone and tolcapone prevent the degradation of dopamine?
COMT inhibitors.
Name two symptoms/diseases which are affected by dopamine.
Parkinson’s disease. Schizophrenia.
Name two symptoms which are affected by dopamine.
Nausea. Hormonal disturbances.
