Chapter 5: NEUROCHEMICAL METHODS Flashcards
1
Q
What are the two ways of localizing neurochemicals in the brain?
A
- by the chemical themselves
- by the enzymes that produce them
2
Q
What are the two procedures by which you can determine the location of receptors?
A
- autoradiography
- immunocytochemistry
3
Q
What does autoradiography consist of?
A
- same as described earlier in the chapter
- only thing that changes: expose slices of brain to radioactive ligand for a particular receptor instead of 2-DG (can be used for any type of receptor)
4
Q
What does immunocytochemistry consist of ?
A
exposing brain tissues to antibodies
5
Q
What is the purpose of microdialysis?
A
Measures the amount of neurotransmitter released in particular regions of the brain.
6
Q
How does microdialysis work?
A
Analyses chemicals present in interstitial fluid by extracting them through a small piece of tubing.
7
Q
Why are PET scans an effective and non-invasive way of measuring neurochemicals in the human brain?
A
-They can be used to localize any radioactive substance that emits positrons.
