Lec8 Flashcards
Neurotransmitter criteria (5)
Chemical must be present in the presynaptic terminal
Chemical must be released in amounts sufficient to effect a response in the postsynaptic cell
When added to extracellular fluid, the chemical should induce the same changes as the endogenous chemical
A mechanism for breakdown should exist
Effects of drugs on transmission at the synapse must be similar for both endogenous and exogenous application
What determines if a signal is excitatory or inhbatory
The receptor
How can you identify a neuron
Based on the type of neurotransmitter released
Acetylcholine
Nicotinic receptors at neuromuscular junction
Inhibitory action on heart through muscarinic receptors
Implication of acetylcholine
Implicated in attention, cognitive processes (Alzheimer’s diseases)
Glutamate
By far the most common neurotransmitter in the brain
Lots of receptor subtypes
Important for learning memory
GABA
By far the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain
Sometimes excitatory, especially during development
Related to anxiety- modulated by benzodiazepines and barbiturates
Catacholamines
Involved in arousal, aggression, motivation, pleasure and reward
Movement
Schizophrenia
What acts on dopamine receptors
Amphetamines and cocaine
Endorphins concentrated in brain regions involved in
Nociception (pain)
Analgesia (stimulation)
Involved in runner’s high
Neuropeptide y (6)
The most common peptide neurotransmitter in brain
Especially abundant in hypothalamus
Cell growth
Food intake
Alcoholism
Anxiolytic
Substance P
cell growth, vomiting, pain
Seotonin
Amine
Neuromodulator-often localized with glutamate or GABA
Mood, appetite and sexual function
SSRIs
Selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors
