Exam 2 Flashcards
Monoamines
dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin
Amino acids
glutamate, GABA
Peptides
endorphins
Acetylcholine function
learning and memory, neuromuscular junction
Acetylcholine synthesis
Comes from fat we eat (enzyme takes product in fat and combines it with chemicals)
Acetylcholine Elimination
Acetylcholinesterase clears it; it is found in the synapse
Acetylcholine distribution
- brain, spinal cord, muscles
- large group of neurons project from the basal forebrain and brain stem
Acetylcholine receptors
- muscarinic
- nicotinic
Muscarinic receptors are
metabotropic and excitatory
Nicotinic receptors are
- ionotropic and excitatory
- receptor type on skeletal muscles
Psilocybin mimics what
the actions of serotonin
Dopamine function
controls voluntary movement, motivation, reward, addiction
Dopamine Distribution
- substantia nigra to caudate putamen (parkinson’s)
- VTA to NAc
Dopamine synthesis
from the amino acid tyrosine which is in proteins we eat
Dopamine elimination
- re-uptake via the dopamine transporter
- Degradation via monoamine oxidase (MAO)
Dopamine receptors
- 5 types, all metabotropic
- both inhibitory and excitatory
Epinephrine and norepinephrine function
stress, arousal, wakefulness & attention, learning and memory
Epinephrine and norepinephrine synthesis
dopamine
Epinephrine and norepinephrine distribution
locus coeruleus and adrenal glands
Epinephrine and norepinephrine elimination
- re-uptake via the norepinephrine transporter (NET)
- Degradation via MAO
Epinephrine and norepinephrine receptors
all metabotropic G protein-coupled receptors
alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2, beta3
Serotonin function
regulates mood, learning and memory, sleep, appetite
Serotonin distribution
project from raphe nuclei all over the brain and spinal cord
Serotonin synthesis
from the amino acid, tryptophan which comes from proteins we eat
Serotonin elimination
- re-uptake via the Serotonin transporter
- degradation via MAO
Serotonin receptors
- at least 14 types, most metabotropic
- inhibitory and excitatory
Glutamate function
learning and memory, basically every brain function and behavior
Glutamate synthesis
from glutamine which comes from proteins we eat
Glutamate elimination
- re-uptake via the Glutamate transporter
- Degradation via glutamate dehydrogenase
Glutamate distribution
everywhere in the brain
Glutamate receptors
- all excitatory
- 8 metabotropic
- 3 ionotropic: AMPA, NMDA, kainate
Metabolism of alcohol
Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) -> Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) -> acetic acidH
GABA Synthesis
From Glutamate
GABA Elimination
- re-uptake via the GABA transporter
- Degradation via GABA amino transferase
GABA distributino
everywhere in the brain
GABA receptors
all inhibitory, 3 main types ionotropic and metabotropic
Beta-endorphin function
pain relief, runners high
Beta-endorphin synthesis
from proteins we eat
Beta-endorphin elimination
enzymatic degradation, chemical breakdown
Beta-endorphin distribution
neurons project from hypothalamus to all regions of the brain and spinal cord
Beta-endorphin receptors
3 kinds: mu, kappa, delta
All inhibitory and metabotropic
How do psychoactive drugs work?
Altering chemical neurotransmission via different mechanisms
5 ways psychoactive drugs work
- mimic neurotransmitter (agonist)
- block receptors (antagonists)
- block reuptake transporters
- block enzymatic degradation
- increase synthesis of neurotransmitter
Heroin
Agonist at opioid receptors, stimulates them
Marijuana
Agonist at cannabinoid receptors
Naltrexone
competitive antagonist at opioid receptors
SSRIs block
serotonin transporters
Ritalin blocks
dopamine transporter
Ecstasy blocks
serotonin transporter
Cocaine blocks
dopamine transporter
Example of a psychoactive drug that blocks the enzymatic degradation of neurotransmitters
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
Methamphetamine reverses
Dopamine transporter protein
Nicotine
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist
Alcohol
GABA agonist, glutamate agonist, many others
Valium
GABA agonist
Pharmacodynamics
mechanism of action of a drug
Pharmacokinetics
the timing of the drug effect
Drugs of abuse
depressants, stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, marijuana
Therapeutic drugs
anti-anxiety, anti-depression, anti-psychotic meds
Heavy drinking effects
liver damage, fetal alcohol syndrome, brain damage, withdrawal
Depressant drugs
alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates
Stimulant drugs
cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, ritalin, caffeine, nicotine
Narcotic drugs
heroin, opium, morphine, codeine
Hallucinogenic drugs
magic mushrooms, LSD
Drug Addiction Definition
A chronically relapsing disorder that is characterized by the compulsion to seek and take the drug, the loss of control in limiting intake, and the emergence of a negative emotional state when access to the drug is withdrawn
3 Features of drug addiction
- tolerance
- dependence
- loss of control
Tolerance definition
Decreased effect with repeated use, need to take more to produce the same effect
Dependence definition
the “need” for a drug. Withdrawal symptoms occur upon cessation of use
Acute functional tolerance
tolerance which occurs within a signle drug exposure
Neuroadaptation
a long-lasting change that occurs in the brain in response to a stimulus (in this case a drug) which tends to reverse the mechanism of action of the drug
Experiences that produce pleasure increase dopamine in the
Nucleus Accumbens
Reinforcement
Learning process that leads to repetition of a behavior
Reinforcer
Object or experience that follows a behavior and leads to an increase in that behavior
Operant conditioning
method used to demonstrate reinforcement. animal learns behavior in order to get a reward
Positive reinforcement
reward follows behavior
Negative reinforcement
removing an aversive stimulus follows the behavior
