CNS 1 - NT's Flashcards
Name the steps in neurochemical transmission (there are 6)
1) Synthesis
2) Storage
3) NT release (AP, Ca influx, vesicle docking, exocytosis)
4) Postsynaptic receptor activation
5) Reuptake of NT
and/or
6) Degradation of NT
Where do the EPSP’s and IPSP’s summate?
Axon hillock
Name GABA’s precursor and reuptake transmitter
glutamate and GAT 1-4
What is unique about glutamate’s reuptake?
No direct reuptake into presynaptic terminal - goes into glial cell via EAAT and is converted to glutamine, which then is able to be transferred back into presynaptic terminal. Glutamine is then converted to glutamate.
What transporter on the presynaptic terminal puts monoamines back into their synaptic vesicles?
VMAT2
You’re on neurology service and a patient presents with signs of Parkinson’s. Your attending asks you what the best way to replenish dopamine in their brain is. What do you say and why can’t you just give them straight dopamine?
Give levodopa, a dopamine precursor. Dopamine cannot cross the BBB while levodopa can.
You’re in the ED and a patient comes in that had accidentally overdosed on their reserpine. What is their main clinical finding and why?
Hypotension; reserpine blocks NE storage so it is unable to be released
You’re at the outpatient psych clinic and a patient comes in with a history of depression that the attending had prescribed fluoxetine to treat. The attending leaves the room for a minute, and the patient asks you how the med works. What do you say?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, so fluoxetine allows more serotonin to be present in the synaptic cleft
You’re working with a geriatrician and a patient comes in with gradually progressive Alzheimer’s. Before you enter the room, the attending asks you what meds the patient is probably on and why. What’s your best guess?
Donepezil, which inhibits Acetylcholinesterase and allows more ACh to be present in synaptic cleft
A patient comes into the ER with a history of bipolar disorder. They are having a psychotic episode and subsequently are super anxious. You don’t know much about meds but you decide to administer one thing for each problem. What do you do?
For bipolar - lithium, which decreases the GPCR cascade
For psychosis - clozapine, which blocks DA and 5HT
For anxiety - diazepam, which activates GABA
Which two meds block sodium channels and can be used for epilepsy and local anesthesia respectively?
phenytoin and lidocaine
Where are the neuronal origins of glutaminergic NT’s and where do they project? What is their function in the CNS?
Originate in thalamus and subthalamic nucleus
Project all over, but especially in cerebral cortex and hippocampus
Major excitatory NT, useful for LTP
Where are the neuronal origins of cholinergic NT’s and where do they project? What is their function in the CNS?
Originate in nucleus basalis of Meynert, medial septal nucleus, and brainstem nuclei
Project all over, but especially to cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus
Mostly excitatory in CNS, important for cognition
Where are the neuronal origins of GABA/glycine and where do they project? What is their function in the CNS?
Originate in interneurons
Project all over, but especially to cerebral cortex and neostriatum
Functions as major inhibitory NTs
Where is the neuronal origin of norepinephrine and where does it project? What is its function in the CNS?
Originate in locus coeruleus
Project all over
Functions in emotion, arousal, and fear/stress/anxiety
