Chapter 3 - Neurotransmitters

Question 1

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 1

Motor neurons -> voluntary skeletal muscles
(Every move you make)
Contributes regulation of: attention, arousal, memory
*nicotine ACh agonist (receptor site stealer) (curare is a antagonist)
Lack of: Alzheimer’s (not main cause)

Question 2

Dopamine (DA)

Answer 2

Contributes control voluntary movement
Pleasure, awards, movement, attention
Circulates in reward pathway: dopamine circuits in medial forebrain
->cocaine + amphetamines ^DA synapse activity
Addiction (drug), Parkinson’s(muscular rigidity), schizophrenia
A monoamine

Question 3

Norepinephrine NE

Answer 3

Modulation of mood + alertness (arousal)
Works w/ adrenaline to increase heart rate and bp, and bs levels
Neurotransmitter in Brain, hormone in body
->cocaine and amphetamines ^NE synapse activity
Depressive disorders. A monoamine
NE & DA cocktail for ADD (^ attention)

Question 4

Seretonin

Answer 4

Regulates: sleep, arousal(wakefulness), eating, mood(aggression)
->Prozac + antidepressants interfere w/ sero circuits
80% in digestive tract, moving food along
Depression, OCD, EDs
Monoamine

Question 5

Monoamines

Answer 5

Incl. dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin

Regulate multi pts of everyday behaviour

Question 6

GABA Gamma-aminobutyric acid

Answer 6

Inhibitory Transmitter - regulate anxiety and sleep/arousal

Anxiety and seizures
Valium + other anti anxiety drugs work @ synapses

Question 7

Endorphins

Answer 7

“Endogenous morphine” resembles opiate structure + effects
Painkillers, pleasure, stress response, eating behaviours

Drug abuse