Modulatory systems 1 Flashcards
Which neurotransmitters are involved in fast communication?
Glutamate
GABA
What are the two modes of actions of neurotransmitters?
Fast point-point communication = milliseconds
Slow diffuse communication (neuromodulation) = minutes to hours
What neurotransmitters are involved in slow communication? Which do both, but are mostly slow?
Monoamines = dopamine, serotonin, histamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine
Peptides = cholecystokinin, orexin, VIP, etc.
Acetylcholine (specifically nicotinic receptors) and serotonin are sometimes involved in fast communication
Monoamine systems eminate from __________ and use _________ as neurotransmitters
Specific brainstem nuclei, biogenic amines/monoamines
Major disorders associated with monoamine systems are:
Parkinson’s -DA
Drug addiction -DA
Depression -5HT
Alzheimer’s -AcCh
The reticular formation is located where?
What nt does it use?
Regions of the tegmentum (in brainstem and spinal cord) that contain less recognizable nuclei.
Glutamate = fast acting
The rostral reticular formation is the key regulator of what?
Rostral = diencephalon to mid pons
Alertness
The reticular formation projects to what two areas? What is the eventual affect?
Interlaminar and medial thalamus
Nucleus basilis and hypothalamus (AcCh neuromodulator)
Alertness
The reticular formation receives inputs from where?
Neocortex (association cortex)
Cingulate cortex
Amgydala (limbic)
Spinal cord (pain)
What is coma? What is profoundly impaired (2 things)?
State of unarousable unresponsiveness in which the patient lies with eyes closed.
Pontomesencephalic RF function
Cerebral cortical function
Compare EEG in coma and EEG in sleep
Coma = monotonous, absence of cyclic variations Sleep = not monotonous, cyclic variations
What is a vegetative state?
Sleep-wake cycles and basic orienting responses are maintained
Unconsciousness
What is brain death?
Extreme and irreversible state of coma
Damage to what 3 main brain structures can cause coma?
Cortex (bilateral)
Pontomesencephalic ascending RF (bilateral)
Intralaminal and medial thalamic nuclei (bilateral)
The RF system is modulatory, but uses a ______________ nt.
Fast acting
