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Behavioral Neuroscience > Chapter 4- The chemistry of behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 4- The chemistry of behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Spatial summation

A

Spatial summation occurs if potentials come from different parts of the cell. Information comes from 3 different places and adds together, all signals are received at the same time

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2
Q

Temporal summation

A

Occurs if potentials arrive at axon hillock at slightly different time. All signals go to the dendritic spine but are separated by a small amount of time

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3
Q

Neurotransmitter criteria (5)

A
  1. Synthesized and stored in presynaptic neuron
  2. Released from presynaptic axon terminal by an action potential
  3. Has specific receptors that recognize it on the postsynaptic membrane
  4. Applying the substance changes the postsynaptic cell
  5. Blocking release of substance prevents these changes in the postsynaptic cell
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4
Q

Types of neurotransmitters (5)

A
  1. Amino acids or derivative of amino acids
  2. Small proteins- neuropeptides
  3. Steroids
  4. Gasses- nitric oxide, carbon monoxide
  5. Lipids- endocannabinoids
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5
Q

Which neurotransmitters are amino acids or amino acid derivatives? (6)

A

glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine

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6
Q

How many neurotransmitters does each neuron have?

A

Usually several, and they can be co-released

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7
Q

How many neurotransmitters does each vesicle have?

A

Likely each vesicle only contains one type of neurotransmitter

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8
Q

Glutamate

A

The main excitatory neurotransmitter- excitation allows one neuron to activate another. When glutamate binds the glutamate receptors, the channels open and cations flow into the cell. Creates EPSP

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9
Q

Which are the most abundant neurotransmitters in the brain?

A

Glutamate and GABA

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10
Q

What results from GABA/glutamate imbalances?

A

Loss of consciousness/coma or seizures (too much glutamate would result in seizures).

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11
Q

GABA

A

Inhibitory, creates IPSPs- inhibition stops/blocks activation of a neuron

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12
Q

Where are EPSPs/IPSPs generated?

A

The dendrites

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13
Q

What are glutamate’s 3 ionotropic receptors?

A

AMPA, NMDA, and kainate

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14
Q

What is glutamate’s metabotropic receptor?

A

mGluR

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15
Q

AMPA and Kainate receptors function

A

When glutamate binds, the ion channel opens. Lets many cations through- sodium and potassium go in different directions due to the electrochemical gradient. Overall main effect is that sodium enters the cell, causing an EPSP. This is why neurotransmitter matters- glutamate can never cause an IPSP.

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16
Q

NMDA receptor function

A

NMDA receptor is both ligand gated and voltage gated. For the receptor to open, you need 2 things: Glutamate has to bind, and the receptor also requires a slight depolarization. NMDA receptors open only if AMPA or kainate receptors are nearby. Overall effect- Na and Ca enter cell, generating an EPSP.

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17
Q

What causes the depolarization to open the ion channel with an NMDA receptor?

A

AMPA receptors are usually right next to the NMDA receptor. Glutamate is released and binds to the AMPA receptor, which opens and lets cations flow through and cause a small depolarization (EPSP). EPSP travels to the NMDA receptor so it is also depolarized and can open. Glutamate binds AMPA and NMDA receptors at the same time, but NMDA receptors can’t open right away. They’re blocked by a magnesium molecule.
When AMPA is depolarized, the positive charge goes toward the NMDA receptor. Positives repel positives, so the magnesium is repelled by the depolarization, causing an EPSP in the NMDA receptor

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18
Q

What is the importance of NMDA receptors?

A

Two things have to happen for the channel to open (ligand binding and depolarization). This is thought to be important in learning and memory- the receptors allow for 2 streams of information to be connected to each other.

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19
Q

Types of GABA receptors (3)

A 
2 ionotropic receptors- GABAa and GABAc.
1 class of metabotropic receptors- GABAb.
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20
Q

GABA A receptor function

A

Ionotropic. When GABA binds, a Cl- ion channel opens, so GABA can never generate an EPSP, just an IPSP due to the hyperpolarization of the cell.

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21
Q

The GABA a receptor is a binding site for what type of drugs?

A

Binding sites for drugs that increase receptor function like sedatives, anesthetics, alcohol

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22
Q

In what areas of the nervous system is glycine the main inhibitory neurotransmitter?

A

Brainstem and spinal cord

23
Q

Glycine receptor function

A

Ionotropic. When glycine binds, a Cl- channel opens, causing hyperpolarization and an IPSP.

24
Q

Neuromodulatory neurotransmitters

A
  1. Norepinephrine
  2. Serotonin
  3. Dopamine
  4. Acetylcholine
25
Q

Function of neuromodulatory neurotransmitters

A

Neuromodulatory neurotransmitters don’t directly generate EPSPs/IPSPs. They tend to change its size, shape, or timing, and work in conjunction with glutamate or GABA receptors. Neuromodulatory neurotransmitters work much more slowly than other neurotransmitters.

26
Q

Where is the norepinephrine system located?

A

Region of the brain called the locus coeruleus and projects throughout the brain and down the spinal cord to the rest of the body (involved in fight or flight).

27
Q

Functions of norepinephrine in the brain (3)

A
  1. Arousal and sleep/wake
  2. Mood
  3. Cognitive function- how well you can make a decision or plan a task
28
Q

Norepinephrine receptors

A

4 different types of metabotropic receptors: alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1 and beta 2 receptors

29
Q

Dysfunction of the norepinephrine system results in

A

Anxiety, stress, hyperarousal, PTSD.

30
Q

Where is the serotonin system located?

A

Originates in dorsal raphe (where the cell bodies are) and axons project throughout the brain

31
Q

Functions of the serotonin system (3)

A
  1. Sleep/wake cycle
  2. Feeding (hunger and satiety)
  3. Mood
32
Q

SSRIs

A

SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Doesn’t actually affect the serotonin receptors- depression is thought to be caused by a lack of serotonin in the synapse. These drugs prevent serotonin from being taken up and recycled by astrocytes, so it has more time to interact with the synapses. Used to treat anxiety and depression, includes drugs like Prozac.

33
Q

Prazosin and propranolol

A

Some drugs (prazosin and propranolol) target the norepinephrine system to treat anxiety and PTSD. Propranolol is a beta blocker, prazosin blocks alpha 1 receptors.

34
Q

Serotonin receptors

A

There are 15 metabotropic receptors

35
Q

In what 2 areas does the dopamine system originate?

A

Substantia nigra (projects to striatum/caudate) and ventral tegmental area (projects to limbic and cortical areas)

36
Q

The ventral tegmental dopamine system is responsible for

A

Reward and reinforcement. Abnormalities in this pathway are associated with symptoms of schizophrenia as well as drug addiction.

37
Q

The substantia nigra dopamine system is responsible for

A

Motor control. Abnormalities in this pathway result in the problems with movement symptoms observed in Parkinson’s disease

38
Q

Parkinson’s disease

A

Dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra start to die. Individuals struggle with initiating and controlling movement because dopamine isn’t released correctly in the basal ganglia structures. It can be temporarily treated with a drug called L-dopa. L-dopa is the molecule the brain produces to make dopamine- the brain will be able to convert the L-dopa into dopamine. Eventually, people develop a tolerance to the drug.

39
Q

Dopamine receptors

A

5 metabotropic receptors: D1-D5.

40
Q

Where is the acetylcholine system located in the CNS?

A

Originates from the basal forebrain (where it’s created). Cholinergic cell bodies and projections contain acetylcholine

41
Q

Acetylcholine receptors in the CNS (2)

A
  1. Ionotropic- nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

2. Metabotropic- muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

42
Q

What is the role of acetylcholine in the CNS?

A

This system plays a role in memory, learning, cognitive function

43
Q

Dysfunction of acetylcholine in the CNS results in

A

Lost in Alzheimer’s disease, people with AD have less Ach

44
Q

Where is acetylcholine located in the PNS?

A

Neuromuscular junction

45
Q

Acetylcholine receptors in the PNS

A

Ionotropic- nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

46
Q

Neuromodulatory receptors tend to be

A

Metabotropic- mood, reward, and other functions tend to be slower

47
Q

GABA and glutamate receptors tend to be

A

Ionotropic- probably because they need to have a quicker effect (they’re the ones that drive communication between the neurons)

48
Q

Autoreceptor

A

Special kind of receptor, usually metabotropic. If a presynaptic neuron releases multiple action potentials close together, maybe it releases “too much” neurotransmitter that’s building up in the synapse- could be dangerous. As the neurotransmitter spills out the sides of the synapse, it will come in contact with an autoreceptor. Autoreceptor sends a signal to the axon terminal that temporarily shuts down neurotransmitter release. This is a negative feedback loop.

49
Q

Where are autoreceptors located?

A

Located on the presynaptic axon terminal membrane

50
Q

Examples of autoreceptors (2)

A
  1. NE alpha 2 receptors

2 GABA B receptors

51
Q

Metabolic tolerance

A

Eliminate the drug from the bloodstream. Body learns to break down the drug faster so it doesn’t have an affect on your brain

52
Q

Functional tolerance

A

Changes in receptors so the brain changes its response to the drug. The brain is trying to reach a new equilibrium and adjust to stimulation from the drug. Can result in up regulation or down regulation (changing neuronal sensitivity in opposition to the drug’s effect).

53
Q

Down regulation

A

If the drug/agonist increases receptor activity, over time the brain has less receptors. Brain thinks the drug is having too much of an effect, so has less receptors so the drug will have less of an effect

54
Q

Up regulation

A

If the drug/agonist reduces receptor activity, over time the brain creates more receptors

Behavioral Neuroscience (11 decks)

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