Communication Between Neurons & Psychopharmacolgy Flashcards
3 types of syapse
Axodenritic, axosomatic & axoaxonic
What is the synapse ?
Junction between pre and post synaptic neuron
NT Receptor Binding site Ligand Post synaptic potential
Carry message
Protein structure in the membrane
Location where ligand NT binds lock and key
Chemical that binds w binding site of receptor
NT either increase or decrease the rate of firing of the ps neuron
Presynaptic membrane is
The membrane of a terminal button
NT released
Post synaptic membrane is ?
Dendrite of neuron that receives info
Synaptic cleft
Space between presynaptic and post synaptic membrane
Synaptic vesicles
Small hollow structure found in terminal buttons
Contains molecules of a NT
Release zone
In the presynaptic membrane of a synapse to which synaptic vesicles attach and release NT into synaptic cleft
Post synaptic receptor
A receptor molecule in the postsynaptic membrane of a synapse that contains binding site for NT
NT-dependent ion channels
An ion channel that opens when a molecule of a NT binds with a postsynaptic receptor
Direct (ionotropic receptor)
Binding site for NT and ion channel that opens when a molecule go the NT attaches to the binding site
Indirect metabotropic receptor
Binding site for NT
Binding activates an enzyme results in opening of ion channel elsewhere
G protein
EPSP - depolarising
IPSP - hyper polarising
Increase chance of neuron firing
Decrease chance of neuron firing
Reuptake
Reentry of NT back through membrane terminating the postsynaptic potential
Enzymatic deactivation
Destruction of NT by enzyme after it’s release
Auto receptors
Control the release of a NT
Drug
Chemical substance that when taken into the body alters the structure or functioning of the body in some way
Psychoactive drugs
Chemical substance which influences the function of CNS altering our feelings, thoughts, perception and behaviour
Psychopharmacology
The study of the effects of drugs on NS and behaviour
Pharmokinetics
Drugs are absorbed, distributed in the body, metabolised and excreted
Dose response curve
After this point increasing doses do not produce a stronger effect
Therapeutic index
A measure of a drugs margin of safety
Tolerance
A decrease in the effectiveness of a drug
Sensitization
An increase in effectiveness of a drug
Tolerance is more common than sensitization
Withdrawal
Opposite effect of drug itself
Caused by body’s attempt to compensate for the effects of the drug
Ligand
Substance than binds to receptor, endogenous or exogenous
Agonist
Ligand that initiates the normal effects of the receptor
Antagonist
Ligand that binds to receptor and does activate it, blocking it from being activated
Quaternary amines
Acetylcholine (Ach)
Mono amines
Catecholamines = NA, Adrenaline, DA Indoleamines = Serotonin 5-HT
Amino acids
GABA
Glutamate (Glu)
Glycine
Histamine
Ach
Primary NT
secreted by efferent axons in CNS PNS deactivated by acetylcholinesterase
Responsible for muscular movement
Nicotine receptor/ muscarinic receptor
Botulinum toxins prevent release of ACh - black widow
Atropine and curare block ACh
Norepinephrine
Almost every region of Brain receives input from noradrenergic neuron
Cell bodies located in hindbrain of pons and medulla
Begin in locus coeruleus
5-HT
Food intake and weight control, aggression, impulsivity, alcohol use and depression
Hallucinogenic drugs LSD influence serotonin pathways
GABA
Found in most areas of the brain and exerts generalised inhibitory function
Anti-anxiety meds, tranquillisers stimulate GABA releasing neurons proving reduction in feelings of stress
GABA deficiencies associated with increased tendency to suffer epileptic seizures
DA Nigrostriatal dopamine pathway
dopamine fibres that arise in substantia nigra of midbrain, past hypothalamus and end in corpus striatum (basal ganglia)
Parkinson’s
DA Mesolimbic DA pathway
Begins in midbrain but projects to parts of Limbic system and frontal cortex
Involved in psychotic behaviour
Rewarding properties
Drug dependence
