Block 6 (Josie's Notes) Flashcards
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical substance released at the synapse of neurons, they are stored in vesicles and their effects can be excitatory or inhibitory
What is the criteria for a neurotransmitter? (4)
- Must be synthesised or present in presynaptic neuron
- Must produce response in postsynaptic neuron
- Specific receptors for substances must be on postsynaptic neuron
- Must be a mechanism for removal once stimulation has stopped
How can neurotransmitters be divided into two classes?
- Based on their size
What are the two classes of neurotransmitters?
- Small molecule neurotransmitters
- Neuropeptides
What are small molecule neurotransmitters? (5)
- Fast acting
- Dopamine, ACh, amino acids, NO
- Present in small clear core vesicles
- Released in response to low frequency stimulation
- Also released in response to high frequency stimulation to allow cotransmission
What are neuropeptides? (4)
- Slow acting
- Angiotensin, substance P, endorphins
- Present in large dense core vesicles
- Released in response to high frequency stimulation
Gives some examples of catecholamines? (3)
- Dopamine
- Noradrenaline
- Adrenaline
What does dopamine do? (4)
- Reward
- Planning
- Initiation/control of movement
- Prolactic (female milk production)
What are dopamine receptors? (2)
- D1-like - D1 and D5, positive couple to Gs
- D2-like - D2, D3, and D4, negative couple to Gi
What does noradrenaline do? (2)
- Sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight)
- Produced in the locus coeruleus
What are noradrenaline receptors?
α1, α2, β1, β2
What does adrenaline do? (2)
- Major determinant of responses to homeostasis
- Secreted by adrenal medulla
What are adrenaline receptors?
- All α and β receptors
How are chatecholamines removed from the synaptic cleft? (3)
- Uptake
- Enzymatic breakdown - MAO
- Diffusion away from receptor
What does serotonin do? (4)
- Mood - Feelings of well being and happiness
- Appetite
- Sleep
- Some cognitive functions - Memory and learning
What are serotonin receptors?
5-HT (1-7)
What does glutamate do? (3)
- One of twenty amino acids used to construct proteins
- Most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain
- Used be every major excitatory information-transmitting pathway in the brain
What are glutamate receptors? (4)
- NMDA
- AMPA
- Kainate
- MGluR
What does GABA do? (2)
- Inhibitory neurotransmitter - Reduces neuronal excitement by allowing influx of Cl- (hyperpolarisation)
- Regulation of muscle tone
What are GABA receptors? (2)
- GABAA - Ligand-gated ion channel complex
- GABAB - G protein coupled receptors
What does ACh do? (4)
- Preganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic, postganglionic parasympathetic
- Used at neuromuscular junctions
- Neuromodulator in the brain
- Important in arousal, attention, and motivation
How is ACh formed?
Choline and acetyl CoA are combined by ChAT (choline acetyl transferase)
How is ACh broken down?
AChE (acetylcholinesterase) breaks ACh down into choline and acetic acid
What are ACh receptors? (2)
- Nicotinic
- Muscarinic
What are ionotropic receptors?
Receptors contain ion channel which is regulated by neurotransmitter
What are metabotropic receptors?
Receptor signals via intracellular intermediates
What are antipsychotics?
Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists
What do antipsychotics treat?
Schizophrenia
What is the difference between first generation and second generation antipsychotics? (2)
- First generation - More extrapyramidal side effects (Haloperidol)
- Second generation - Fewer extrapyramidal side effects (Risperidone, Olozapine)
What are the side effects on dopamine pathways? (2)
- Extrapyramidal side effects
- Excess prolactin (can cause infertility)
Name some other side effects of antipsychotics? (6)
- Sedation
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Postural hypertension
- Weight gain
What are tricyclic antidepressants? (2)
- Block noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake transporters
- Increases availability of neurotransmitters
What are tricyclic antidepressants used to treat?
Depression (also pain and anxiety)
Give some examples of tricyclic antidepressants? (2)
- Amitriptyline
- Lofepramine
Name some side effects of tricyclic antidepressants? (6)
- Toxic in overdose
- Sedation
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Postural hypertension
What are SSRIs? (2)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Increases serotonin availability at the synapse
What are SSRIs used to treat?
Depression (also anxiety)
Give some examples of SSRIs? (2)
- Citalopram
- Fluxetine
Name some side effects of SSRIs? (5)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sexual dysfunction
- Possible increase in suicidal ideation
- Safer in overdose
- Withdrawal reactions
What are SNRIs?
Selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
What are MAOIs? (3)
- Mono-amine oxidase inhibitors
- Blocks action of MAO at nerve terminals
- Increased availability of noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine
Give some examples of MAOIs? (2)
- Phenelzine
- Modobemide
Name some side effects of MAOIs? (2)
- Can cause ‘hypersensitive crisis’ if people eats foods rich in Tyramine
- Precipitates noradrenaline release from vesicles
What is Lithium? (4)
- Not sure how it works, several suggested mechanisms:
- Lowers excitatory and increases inhibitory neurotransmission
- Affects secondary messengers
- Protects neurons from damage
Name some side effects of lithium? (4)
- Narrow therapeutic window
- Vomiting, shaking drowsiness, ataxia
- With toxic levels - Brain damage and death
- Diuretics and NSAIDs cause levels to build up
What are benzodiazepines? (2)
- Binds to GABA receptors, potentiating effects of GABA
- Causes more Cl- influx and more inhibition
Give some examples of benzodiazepines? (3)
- Diazepam
- Lorazepam
- Temazepam
Name some side effects of benzodiazepines? (6)
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Forgetfulness
- Impaired motor control
- Tolerance and dependence
- Respiratory depression (especially with alcohol)
Which two blood vessels supply the brain?
- Vertebral arteries
- Internal carotid arteries
What is the precentral gyrus?
Primary motor cortex
What is the postcentral gyrus?
Primary somatosensory cortex
What is Broca’s area?
Motor speech area
What is Wernicke’s area? (2)
- Language area
- Helps understand speech
What is the calcarine fissure?
Primary visual area
What is the insula (longitudinal fissure)?
Primary auditory area
What are behavioural theories?
Based upon the idea that all behaviours are acquired through conditioning, via interactions with the environment
What is classical conditioning? (2)
- Operates through associating a stimulus with a response
- Previously neutral stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus by repeated pairing