Lecture 1: Intro to Neuroscience/Neuropharmacology Flashcards
Name two purposes of neurotransmitters/modulators?
- Modulate neural activity
2. Affect synaptic plasticity
Name 3 features of neurotransmitters.
- Excitatory/Inhibitory effect
- Rapid action (ms)
- Precise
How do neuromodulators differ from neurotransmitters?
Slower processes that alter the responsiveness of neurons.
Where do NTs/NMs originate? Where are they released
In small clusters of neurons deep within the brain. Released throughout CNS.
CNS stands for…
Central Nervous System
PNS stands for…
Peripheral Nervous System
ENS stands for…
Enteric Nervous System
Where does norephedrine (NE) originate?
Locus coeruleus.
Where does histamine (HA) originate?
Posterior hypothalamus.
Where does cholinergic (ACh) originate?
Pontine and basal forebrain groups.
Where does dopamine (DA) originate?
Midbrain - ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra
Where does serotonin (5-HT) originate?
Several ‘raphe’ nuclei distributed in brainstem.
What are hormones and what is their function?
- Signalling molecules produced by glands
- Transported through blood
- Regulate physiology and behaviour.
What is the difference between NTs and hormones on system, transmission, target cells, and action time?
NTs: nervous system, between neurons (synapse), specific neurons of other cells, fast (ms); Hormones: endocrine, blood, distance from endocrine gland, slow (s - days)
What is the interaction between hormones and NTs?
Hormones modulate NT levels and function.
What is the purpose of the blood brain barrier?
Prevent substances (drugs, chemicals, infections, etc.) from passing between blood and brain.
What is the PNS comprised of?
Nerves and ganglia outside brain and spinal cord.
List 3 things the PNS does.
- Receives sensory information regarding pain, temperature, body position, etc.
- Sends messages to control muscles
- Sends messages to control organs
What is the ENS colloquially known as and why?
The ‘second brain’ - has own senses and reflexes and acts independently of the brain.
How much of the bodies serotonin is produced in the gut?
95%
Bacteria in gut can trigger cells to synthesise serotonin.
List 3 things the gut does not affect.
- Consciousness
- Philosophy
- Decision-making
Describe 3 Brain-Gut interactions.
- Peripheral serotonin: cells in gut produce large quantities of 5-HT
- Intestinal microbiome causes immune cells to produce cytokines which influence neurophysiology
- Bacterial molecules: microbes produce metabolites which alter activity of cells in blood-brain barrier
What is the microbiome?
Combined genetic material of microbiota.
What comprises the microbiota?
Bacteria and organisms living in the gut.
What does the microbiota do? And how?
Modulates development and homeostasis of the CNS.
Through immune, circulatory, and neural pathways.
What is Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and what does it affect?
Imbalance in the gut. There are risk factors for it’s presence and it effects disease risks and health implications such as drug treatment, relapse, depression.
What is sickness behaviour?
Temporary behavioural, cognitive, and emotional changes due to activation of the immune system.
Examples include fever, increased sleep, decreased social interaction.
How is sickness behaviour triggered?
Cytokines travel to brain in response to infection.
What are cytokines?
Groups of small proteins important in cell signalling.
How do cytokines work?
Released by cells and influence behaviour of other cells.
Cytokines are too big for the blood-brain barrier so they must either i) enter indirectly or ii) trigger new cytokines to be released in brain.
Sickness behaviour is presumed to be a _________ strategy.
Adaptive.
Organised to conserve energy and improve fight against infection.
What are the theorised results of excessive sickness behaviour?
Neuropsychiatric syndromes (e.g. fatigue syndromes, major depression)
