Brain Chemicals Flashcards
Neurotransmitters
- The body’s chemical messengers
- Molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons/neurons-to-muscles
Excitatory influence in a neurotransmitter
- Promotes action potential/fires message in/to receiving neurons
- Glutamate, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine
Inhibitory influence in neurotransmitters
- Blocks action potential/message being sent in/to receiving neurons
- Gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA), Glycine, Serotonin
Modulatory influence in neurotransmitters (neuromodulators)
- Influence the effects of other chemical messengers
What determines whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory?
The receptor it binds to
What is Acetylcholine?
- Intervenes in physiological and cognitive functions
- Damage in levels can result in cognitive impairment or weakness in muscles
- Excitatory
What is Glutamate?
- Important to memory, cognition, and mood regulation
- Overload occurs during head injury or stroke
- Autism, depression, schizophrenia
- Excitatory
What is Gamma-Aminobutryic Acid (GABA)?
- 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
What is Glucose?
- 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
What is Dopamine?
- Neuromodulator and monoamine
- Involved in motor control, reward/reinforcement, and motivation
- “Feel good” chemical
What is Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)?
- 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
What is Serotonin?
- Monoamine
- Involved in functions such as sleep, memory, appetite, mood regulation
- Low levels said to be associated with depression
- “Feel good” chemical
What is the difference between Dopamine and Serotonin?
- 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
What are ways that Dopamine and Serotonin interact?
- 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
What is Cortisol?
- “Stress” horomone produced by adrenal glands
- Associated with bodily response to stress responses, mood, and circadian rhythm
How does cortisol regulate energy metabolism?
- 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
What is the result of prolonged/excessive cortisol release?
Immune system suppression, which makes individuals more vulnerable to infections and illnesses during times of chronic stress
How do cortisol levels affect mood and behavior?
Elevated cortison levels (chronic stress) can contribute to symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating
How do cortisol levels affect memory and learning?
- 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
If elevated cortisol levels can improve memory for emotionally-charged events, why are some eyewitness testimonies unreliable?
- 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
What is Testosterone?
- Sex hormone
- Development in male primary sexual characteristics
- Sexual desire/libido
- Aggression, risk-taking behavior, stress response
What is the result of high and low testosterone levels?
- Low Levels: Symptoms of depression, fatigue, and decreased quality of life
- Low Levels: Increased emotional sensitivity
- High Levels: Increased aggressiveness, Emotional stability
What is Estrogen?
- Sex hormone
- Development of female sexual characteristics
- Estrogen levels associated with mood regulation and emotional well-being
- Stress responses
- Sexual desire and libido
What is Oxytocin?
- Hormone and neuropeptide
- “Love hormone”
- Promotes social bonding and attachment
- Associated with maternal behavior, empathy, and cooperation
