Endogenous Monoamine Systems SEM2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are key monoamines in the CNS

A

Acetylcholine (ACh)
Dopamine (DA)
Noradrenaline (NA)
Serotonin

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2
Q

What are the major pathways where acetylcholine (ACh) is used in the brain

A

Nucleus basalis to cortex
Septal nucleus to hippocampus
In basal ganglia

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3
Q

What is the importance of the nucleus basalis to cortex pathway

A

Crucial for attention, learning and memory

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4
Q

What is the importance of the septal nucleus to hippocampus pathway

A

Important for memory formation and retrival

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5
Q

What is the importance of the basal ganglia pathway

A

Involved in motor control and cognitive functions

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6
Q

What is central acetylcholines relation to cognition

A

ACh enhances cognitive functions e.g attention and processing speed

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7
Q

Why is a result of inhibiting the breakdown of ACh

A

Increased processing speed because inhibiting the breakdown of ACh = more ACh present in synaptic cleft = ACh receptors are activated for longer duration of time

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8
Q

What are the main dopaminergic pathways in the brain

A

Nigrostriatal pathway
Mesocortical/mesolimbic pathway
Tuberohypophyseal pathway

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9
Q

What is the role of the nigrostriatal pathway

A

Regulates motor control

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10
Q

What is the role of the mesocortical/mesolimbic pathway

A

Mesocortical - influences cognitive function
Mesolimbic - role in reward, motivation and emotional behaviour

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11
Q

What is the role of the tuberohypophyseal pathway

A

Modulates hormone release at pituitary gland

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12
Q

What is amphetamine

A

Synthetic substance that promotes the release of neurotransmitters

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13
Q

what is the underlying cause in parkinsons disease

A

Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway -> causes motor symptoms e.g tremors

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14
Q

What is general treatment for parkinsons disease

A

L-DOPA is used to compensate for the reduced dopamine production

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15
Q

What is the role of L-DOPA

A

Used for its ability to convert into dopamine in the brain

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16
Q

What is the underlying cause of schizophrenia

A

Excess dopamine acitivity in the frontal cortext

17
Q

What is the general treatment for schizophrenia

A

Antipsychotic medication e.g chlorpromazine - targets D2 dopamine receptors as antagonist to reduce dopamine activity

18
Q

What does the noradrenergic pathways originate and course they follow

A

Pathway originates in the locus coeruleus (LC) neurons sent from LC to the hippocampus and cerebellum

19
Q

What are the noradrenergic pathways involved in

A

Involved in the regulation of attention, learning, memory and emotional responses

20
Q

What is another pathway which involves noradrenergic fibres

A

Reticular formation to spinal cord and hypothalamus pathway

21
Q

How do noradrenergic pathways play a role in arousal

A

the release of noradrenaline (NA) leads to heightened awareness - ‘fight or flight’ response

22
Q

How do noradrenergic pathways play a role in blood pressure regulation

A

The α2 agonist clonidine acts in brainstem to suppress the sympathetic pathways and reduce blood pressure - decreasing the release of noradrenaline (NA)

23
Q

What is the pathway of serotonergic innervations of the CNS

A

Raphe nuclei project

24
Q

What is the raphe nuclei project pathways course of transmission

A

Rostrally to cortext, hippocampus, basal ganglia, limbic system and hypothalamus

25
Q

What is does the raphe nuclei project pathway regulate

A

Mood regulation
Sleep-wake cycles
Pain modulation

26
Q

What are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used for

A

Treatment of depression

27
Q

What is the mechanism of SSRIs

A

SSRIs work by blocking re uptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons -> increases amount of serotonin in synaptic cleft