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Psychology Need-To-Know > Brain Chemicals > Flashcards

Brain Chemicals Flashcards

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1
Q

Neurotransmitters

A
  • The body’s chemical messengers
  • Molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons/neurons-to-muscles
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2
Q

Excitatory influence in a neurotransmitter

A
  • Promotes action potential/fires message in/to receiving neurons
  • Glutamate, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine
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3
Q

Inhibitory influence in neurotransmitters

A
  • Blocks action potential/message being sent in/to receiving neurons
  • Gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA), Glycine, Serotonin
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4
Q

Modulatory influence in neurotransmitters (neuromodulators)

A
  • Influence the effects of other chemical messengers
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5
Q

What determines whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory?

A

The receptor it binds to

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6
Q

What is Acetylcholine?

A
  • Intervenes in physiological and cognitive functions
  • Damage in levels can result in cognitive impairment or weakness in muscles
  • Excitatory
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7
Q

What is Glutamate?

A
  • Important to memory, cognition, and mood regulation
  • Overload occurs during head injury or stroke
  • Autism, depression, schizophrenia
  • Excitatory
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8
Q

What is Gamma-Aminobutryic Acid (GABA)?

A
  • Lessons ability of a neuron or nerve cell to receive/send chemical messages to other cells
  • Controls anxiety, stress, and fear
  • Influences activity of dopamine neurons
  • Inhibitory
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9
Q

What is Glucose?

A
  • Primary source of energy for the brain
  • Essential metabolic fuel for the brain
  • Low glucose can result in disrupted functionality of self-control, decision-making, etc
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10
Q

What is Dopamine?

A
  • Neuromodulator and monoamine
  • Involved in motor control, reward/reinforcement, and motivation
  • “Feel good” chemical
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11
Q

What is Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)?

A
  • Monoamine
  • Involved in activity of various organs to control blood pressure, heart rate, liver function
  • Also relates to arousal, attention, cognitive function, and stress reactions
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12
Q

What is Serotonin?

A
  • Monoamine
  • Involved in functions such as sleep, memory, appetite, mood regulation
  • Low levels said to be associated with depression
  • “Feel good” chemical
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13
Q

What is the difference between Dopamine and Serotonin?

A
  • Serotonin: long-lasting feelings of “happiness”/well-being/calmness
  • Dopamine: feelings of reward, pleasure, motivation, and behavioral reinforcement
  • Serotonin: Sleep, appetite, anxiety
  • Dopamine: Motor control and coordination
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14
Q

What are ways that Dopamine and Serotonin interact?

A
  • Low serotonin levels affect the brain’s reward and pleasure systems (dopamine’s role)
  • When experiencing pleasure, dopamine is released and creates feelings of satisfaction and motivation. In turn, serotonin can modulate reward pathways by influencing overall mood and emotional state
  • Serotonin can impact motivation, and dopamine is involved in motivation and drive
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15
Q

What is Cortisol?

A
  • “Stress” horomone produced by adrenal glands
  • Associated with bodily response to stress responses, mood, and circadian rhythm
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16
Q

How does cortisol regulate energy metabolism?

A
  • Increases blood sugar levels, providing the body with a quick source of energy to respond to stress
  • Elevated blood sugar levels can enhance physical and mental alertness short-term
17
Q

What is the result of prolonged/excessive cortisol release?

A

Immune system suppression, which makes individuals more vulnerable to infections and illnesses during times of chronic stress

18
Q

How do cortisol levels affect mood and behavior?

A

Elevated cortison levels (chronic stress) can contribute to symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating

19
Q

How do cortisol levels affect memory and learning?

A
  • Short Term: Cortisol can enhance memory consolidation for emotionally-charged events
  • Long Term: Elevated cortisol levels (chronic stress) can impair memory and cognitive function over time
20
Q

If elevated cortisol levels can improve memory for emotionally-charged events, why are some eyewitness testimonies unreliable?

A
  • Cortisol does not guarantee accurate/unbiased recollection
  • Emotional stress can lead to memory distortions (added/altered details)
  • Threat/Weapon-Focus
  • Post-event information can influence memory
  • Memory decay
21
Q

What is Testosterone?

A
  • Sex hormone
  • Development in male primary sexual characteristics
  • Sexual desire/libido
  • Aggression, risk-taking behavior, stress response
22
Q

What is the result of high and low testosterone levels?

A
  • Low Levels: Symptoms of depression, fatigue, and decreased quality of life
  • Low Levels: Increased emotional sensitivity
  • High Levels: Increased aggressiveness, Emotional stability
23
Q

What is Estrogen?

A
  • Sex hormone
  • Development of female sexual characteristics
  • Estrogen levels associated with mood regulation and emotional well-being
  • Stress responses
  • Sexual desire and libido
24
Q

What is Oxytocin?

A
  • Hormone and neuropeptide
  • “Love hormone”
  • Promotes social bonding and attachment
  • Associated with maternal behavior, empathy, and cooperation
25
Q

What is a Neuropeptide?

A
  • Chemical messenger molecule in the nervous system
  • Associated with pain regulation, mood, emotion, appetite, metabolism, sleep regulation, and stress responses
  • Can work as modulators
26
Q

How is neuropeptide dysregulation associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders?

A
  • They play critical roles in regulating brain function, behavior, and physiological responses
  • Disruption in neural circuits, neurotransmitter level balance, and hormone regulation
27
Q

What neurotransmitter can help inhibit aggression?

A

Serotonin

28
Q

What is 5-HIAA?

A

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid
* Metabolite of serotonin that is found in the cerebrospinal fluid
* Often measured to determine serotonin levels in the brain

29
Q

What are low levels of 5-HIAA associated with?

A

Impulsive and aggressive behavior

30
Q

What is the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)?

A

Psychology Need-To-Know (6 decks)

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