College 2: Genes & Pharmacology

Question 1

What are the functions of the following neurotransmitters?
Glutamate
GABA
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
Serotonin
Noradrenaline

Answer 1

Glutamate = main excitatory neurotransmitter
GABA = main inhibitory neurotransmitter
Dopamine = reward system, motor function, memory
Acetylcholine = attention, memory, generally cognition
Serotonin = mood
Noradrenaline = wakefulness, memory

Question 2

What does the DBH gene?

Answer 2

It produces the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase which converts dopamine to noradrenaline.

This gene has been associated with an increased risk for ADHD and psychotic symptoms.

Question 3

Which neurotransmitters belong to these classes?

• Modified amino acids
• Amino acids
• Catechoalamines
• Indoleamines

Answer 3

1. Modified amino acids = acetylcholine
2. Amino acids = Glutamate + GABA
3. Catechoalamines = tyrosine > dopa > dopamine > (nor)adrenaline
4. Indoleamines = serotonin

Question 4

What is dyskinesia and what can cause it?

Answer 4

Dyskinesia are involuntary movements and can be caused by dopamine replacement therapy (levodopa).

Question 5

What is novelty?

Answer 5

When for example words are presented in a different font, you’ll remember them better -> but PD patients show a deficit in novelty

Question 6

What is a concentration gradient?

Answer 6

The movement of molecules from a region high in concentration to a region low in concentration (=law of diffusion).

Question 7

Explain the following channels:
Voltage-gated
Ionotropic
Metabotropic

Answer 7

Voltage-gated = the channel opens when a certain threshold is met.
Ionotropic = the channel opens when bind by a neurotransmitter.
Metabotropic = more complex -> longer effects (G-protein / second messenger)

Question 8

Drug effects, which kind of drugs belong to which effect?

• Binding to neurotransmitter receptor
• Stimulating release
• Blocking reuptake
• Negative feedback

Answer 8

Binding to neurotransmitter receptor = LSD -> serotonin receptor
Stimulating release = MDMA releases dopamine/serotonin
Blocking reuptake = cocaine blocks reuptake of dopamine
Negative feedback = cannabis excites negatife feedback receptors on presynaptic neuron

Question 9

What is the ‘von Restorff effect’?

Answer 9

The novelty effect