Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurotransmission in the CNS Flashcards
Effect of depolarisation in neurons
leads to transmitter release
Effect of entry of + ions (Ca, K, Na) or exit of - ions (Cl)
results in a positive charge (depolarisation/excitation)
Effect of exit of + ions or entry of - ions
results in negative charge (hyperpolarisation or inhibition)
Action of Na channel agonists
- opens channels
- causes Na flow into cell
- results in excitation
Action of Na channel antagonists
- closes channel
- stops Na ion flow
- favours inhibition
- e.g. local anaesthetics
Action of K channel agonist
- opens K channel
- causes K flow out of cell
- makes cell more negative
- inhibitory
Action of K channel antagonist
- closes K channel
- retains K in cell
- favours positive rmp
- excitatory
Describe the events that take place at the synapse
- AP depolarises axon terminal
- depolarisation opens voltage-gated Ca channels and Ca enters cell
- Ca entry triggers exocytosis of vesicles
- NT diffuses across synaptic cleft and binds with receptors on post synaptic cell
- NT binding initiates a response in postsynaptic cell
Describe the events that take place at the synapse when NTs are inactivated
- NTs can be returned to axon terminals for reuse or transported into glial cells
- enzymes inactive NTs
- NTs can diffuse out of the synaptic cleft
Role of astrocytes
- buffer potassium
- glutamate released in cleft can be taken up by astrocytes and transported back into neurons
- ensure synaptic cleft is kept clear of NTs
What are the two modes of post-synaptic action of a NT
- directly (ionotropic receptors) or indirectly (metabotropic receptors)
- GABA can act on both receptors
Action of ionotropic receptors
- integral component of molecule
- nAChR channel activation
- membrane depolarisation
- AP excitation
- muscle contraction
Action of metabotropic receptors
- muscarinic ACh receptor activation
- release of alpha-GTP + By from the heterotrimeric G protein
- activation of inward rectifier K+ channel by By
- membrane hyperpolarisation
- decrease in HR
What are the two major families of ligand-gated channels
- GABAA, Glycine and ACh (nicotinic) receptors
- Glutamate receptors
Action of glutamate on glutamate receptors
- may have inhibitory effects via its response at metabotropic glutamate receptors
- ionotropic glutamate receptors directly gate ion channels and may be classified via response to non-endogenous agonists that mimic glutamate