CNS Neurotransmission Flashcards
What are the types of cells in the brain?
Neurons Astrocytes Microglia Endothelial cells Pericytes (scare t cells) Fibroblast like cells
What are the parts of a neuron?
Nucleus
Soma (cell body)
Dendrites
Axon
What is a neurotransmission?
Neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic cleft, crosses synaptic cleft, acts on post synaptic receptors, propogates an AP
What does neurotransmitter acting on post synaptic receptors usually do?
Excite or inhibit a response using,
Ligand gated ion channels
GPCR - secondary messangers
How is neurotransmission terminated?
Metabolism
Transportation (re-uptake by neurons, astrocytes by specific transporters)
Where do drugs act on the brain?
Enzymes Ion channels Neurotransmitter transporters Neurotransmitter Receptors Transducer Proteins
What do must drugs in the brain commonly interact with?
Most drugs that act on the CNS do so by interacting in some way with chemical neurotransmission
What are the types of neurotransmitters and examples?
- Monoamines - 5HT, NE
- Aminoacids - GABA, Glutamate
- ACh
- Neuropeptides - cotransmitters
What do neuromodulators do?
Produce slower responses
What do neurotrophic factors do?
Work over long time-scales. Promote neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity
What is the difference between fast acting and slow acting neurotransmitters?
fast acting, act on ion channels e.g Glutamte, GABA
Slow acting, act via GPCRs, e.g Dopamine, neuropeptides
What is the function of astrocytes?
Inflammatory role
BBB maintenance
Maintain CNS health / neuronal health
Release and take up neurotransmitters
Express neurotransmitter receptors
Regulates synaptic transmission
What is gliotransmission?
Release of neurotransmitter from astrocytes that acts on neurons\
Might mean astrocytes provide complex brain function
What do microglia do?
immune role
monitors brains microenvironments
What is the function of pericytes?
Encase endothelial cells and help maintain BBB
