Action of drugs on synapses

Question 1

How can drugs increase the transmission of nerve impulses

Answer 1

-Causing more neurotransmitters to be produced in the synaptic knowb
-Causing more neurotransmitters to be released into the synapse
-Imitating the action of neurotransmitters by binding to and activating receptors on the post synaptic membrane
-Preventing the breakdown of neurotransmitters in the synapse
-Preventing the reuptake of neurotransmitters into the post synaptic cell

Question 2

How can drugs decrease the transmission of nerve impulses at the synapse

Answer 2

-Prevent the production of neurotransmitters at the synapse
-Prevent the release of neurotransmitters from the pre synaptic membrane
-Binding to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane and therefore preventing neurotransmitters from binding

Question 3

How does MDMA work

Answer 3

-MDMA prevents the reuptake of serotonin into the pre synaptic cell by binding to specific proteins that are responsible for the reuptake of serotonin on the pre synaptic membrane, this increases the amount of serotonin present in the brain
-MDMA is also triggers the release of more serotonin from pre synaptic neurones
-Serotonin is usually reabsorbed back into the pre synaptic neurone to be recycled for future action potentials