Mod 4: Neurotransmitters Flashcards
What are the different types of NTs?
- Proteins
- Peptides
- Amino acids
+ more
What do neurons do?
Fire Action potentials
Where are the neurotransmitters released from?
The presynaptic cell @ synapse
Where are neurotransmitters synthesized?
They are synthesized in neurons within the soma.
*They are then transported down the axon to the terminal.
What does 1 neuron equal?
1 neuron = MULTIPLE NTs
*There need to be specific receptors in order to respond to multiple neurotransmitters.
In order for a neuron to respond to multiple neurotransmitters, the neuron needs to have?
The neuron needs to have multiple receptors in order to respond to the NTs released
What are the different NTs receptors?
- Ionotropic receptors
- Metabotropic receptors
Compare and contrast metabotropic and ionotropic receptors.
Ionotropic receptors have channels that OPEN when NTs BIND to them.
On the other hand, metabotropic receptors DO NOT HAVE CHANNEL they have g-proteins instead.
Which type of NTs receptor has a channel which opens when the neurotransmitter binds?
Ionotropic receptors.
How are NTs removed from synapses?
- Degradation
- Reuptake
What is NT degradation?
It is a way NTs are removed from synapses.
They are rapidly BROKEN DOWN and INACTIVATED by special enzymes.
What is an example of NT degradation?
Acetylcholine (ACh) is broken down into acetylcholinesterase
How can the degradation of AChE help with the production of ACh?
AChE helps w/ recycling products that can help w/ the new production of ACh @ axon terminal.
What occurs during reuptake?
This is where NTs can be CLEARED from the SYNAPTIC CLEFT by being absorbed back into the AXON TERMINAL that released them OR absorbed by GLIAL CELLS.
Explain what is necessary for reuptake to occur.
They’re able to divide in 2 ways
w/ the help of TRANSPORT PROTEINS
What’s an example of reuptake in medicine (drugs)?
- Prozac
- Pavil
What are the 6 common neurotransmitters?
- Dopamine
- Seratonin
- Acetylcholine
- Norepinephrine
- GABA
- Glutamate
What type of NTs is glutamate?
Main excitatory NT (triggers)
What’s the primary goal of glutamate?
It plays a central role in memory formation.
What are the ionotropic receptors for glutamate?
- AMPA
- NMDA
What are the metabotropic receptors for glutamate?
Glutamate receptors
What type of NTs is GABA NTs?
They’re the main inhibitory NTs
(slows down)
What are GABA’s ionotropic receptors?
GABA-A
- For anxiety relief
Ex: benzodiazepine (xanax)
What are GABA’s metabotropic receptors?
GABA-B
- Targeted for chronic pain (emotional/physical disorders)
Where are ACh NTs found?
Found in nuclei found within the basal forebrain.
Define “cholinergic”.
Contains ACh
What are ACh NTs involved w/?
- ANS
- Cortical activation
- Learning & memory
- First NTs lost in
Why is dopamine so important?
It’s important for many aspects of behavior
List the areas of behavior dopamine is part of?
- (VTA) Reward & reinforcement
- Cognition
- Movement (Parkinson’s is an example of what occurs if NT are impacted.)
- Dysregulated in schizophrenia
Which of the following is the main excitatory neurotransmitter?
Glutamate
Which neurotransmitter is involved in vigilance and the sympathetic nervous system?
Norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine =
noradrenaline`
Where are the cell bodies of noradrenergic neurons’ found?
They are found in 2 areas of the brain stem…
1. Locus coeruleus
2. Lateral Tegmental Area (LTA)
What are the 2 areas of the brain stem where noradrenergic neurons’ are found?
- Locus Coeruleus
- Lateral Tegmental Area (LTA)
What is norepinephrine involved in?
- Sympathetic N.S.
- Alertness/vigilence
- Mood appetite
Where does serotonin originate?
From the neurons along:
1. the midline of the midbrain
2. Brain stem in the Raphe Nuclei
What is serotonin involved in?
- Sleep
- Mood
- Appetite
- Anxiety
What makes up catecholamines?
- Dopamine
- Norepinepherine
- Epinepherine
(Do Not Eat Catecholamines)
What makes up monoamines?
- Seratonin
- Catecholamines
How are gases NTs different from reg. NTs?
- Can’t be stored in vesicle
- They form on demand in areas outside of the axon
terminal (ex. dendrites)
- They form on demand in areas outside of the axon
- Diffuse out and out of the cells
*No receptors- Directly affects 2nd messenger system
- Can function as retrograde transmitters.
Why do psychotropic drugs affect brain activity?
Because they affect the brain’s NTs systems
Explain how psychotropic drugs affect brain activity.
- increase or decrease NT synthesis
- Increase or decrease NT release
- Bind to and activate a receptor
- Bind to and block a receptor.
- Alters the amount of time NTs stay in the synaptic cleft.
- Blocks/ increase degradation/reuptake of NTs
What does an agonist do?
A drug that mimics and increases the effects of a neurotransmitter
What is an example of an agonist?
Many antidepressants
What is a partial agonist?
Is a drug that has less effect than the endogenous ligand would
What is an antagonist?
A drug that blocks the effect of an NT
What is an example of an antagonist?
Antipsychotics
- Block dopamine receptors, therefore blocking dopamine antagonists.
