KG - Pharm 3, Exam 1, CNS Introduction

Question 1

3 main steps of neurotransmission?

Answer 1

1. action potential
2. NT release
3. receptor activation

Question 2

describe: triggering the action potential

Answer 2

• nerve axons maintain resting potential of act -70 mV
• voltage gated channels open, Na+ ions move into cell
• cell becomes depolarized to act +40 mV
• action potential triggered, Na+ channels rapidly inactivate
• K+ channels open, K+ ions exit, repolarizes membrane
• depolarization allows Na+ channels to return to “closed” state

Question 3

describe: neurotransmitter release

Answer 3

1. NTs synthesized/stored in vesicles
2. AP reaches terminal
3. cell membrane depolarizes
4. Ca2+ channels open
5. influx of Ca2+ triggers release of NTs
6. receptor activation
7. diffusion & metabolism
8. reuptake - DAT & SERT

Question 4

describe: IONOTROPIC receptor activation

Answer 4

• receptor = channel
• voltage gated or ligand gated
• depolarize or hyperpolarize neurons

Question 5

describe: METABOTROPIC receptor activation

Answer 5

• receptor = coupled to G proteins

- coupled directly to ion channel or indirectly to ion channel/secondary messenger systems (cAMP)

Question 6

describe: neurotransmitter, ACh

Answer 6

• learning, memory, cognition, attention, arousal
• neuromuscular junction
• nicotinic & muscarinic receptors
• degenerates in Alheimer’s dz

Question 7

describe: neurotransmitter, glutamate

Answer 7

• major excitatory transmitter
• memory, learning
• neurotoxic in large amounts (stroke, ischemia, seizures)
• ionotropic & metabotropic receptors (NMDA, AMPA)

Question 8

describe: neurotransmitter, GABA

Answer 8

• major inhibitory transmitter
• relieves anxiety, promote sedation
• Cl- channels - activation allows Cl- to enter cell

Question 9

describe: monoamines, dopamine

Answer 9

• reward, reinforcement, motivation
• addiction, Parkinson’s, Schizophrenia
• metabotropic G-protein coupled receptors
• D1 stimulatory, D2 inhibitory

Question 10

describe: monoamines, Norepi/noradrenaline

Answer 10

• mood, attention, arousal, anxiety, pain regulation, learning, memory
• metabotropic G-protein coupled receptors (alpha & beta)

Question 11

describe: monoamines, serotonin (5HT)

Answer 11

• synthesized from tryptophan
• mood, promotes sleep, anxiety, OCD, appetite, perception (LSD)
• metabotropic G-protein coupled receptors
• target of SSRIs

Question 12

describe: monoamines, endogenous opioids

Answer 12

• endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphin

- decreases pain, produces pleasure, reinforcement

Question 13

describe: monoamines, substance P

Answer 13

• excitatory

- mediates pain transmission

Question 14

describe: monoamines, neuropeptide Y

Answer 14

• regulates food intake and fat storage

Question 15

describe: monoamines, cannabinoids (TCH)

Answer 15

• memory, cognition, pain perception