Lecture 5: Development Profile of Neurotransmitters (glutamate and GABA)

Question 1

VGLUT1

VLGUT2

VGLUT3

Answer 1

found mostly in neurons of the neocortex and cerebellum

Found broadly across the cortex and subcortical areas

Found more often in the posterior midbrain and hindbrain areas

Question 2

AMPA vs NMDA receptors

Answer 2

NMDA has a much higher affinity for glutamate than AMPA and can be activated by a lower concentration of the transmitter

one NMDA molecule requires 2 glutamate molecules to be activated

Question 3

General characteristics of GABergic neurons

Answer 3

1.) Short axons

2.) form synapses mostly in the soma of the postsynaptic cell

3.) Fire action potentials at relatively high firing frequencies

4.) Very often have small “somas”

Question 4

GABA receptors

Answer 4

GABAa- ligand gates channel(slower)

GABAb- G protein-coupled receptor(they need activation of another protein to activate)

GABAc-ligand-gated ion channel