Neurobiology Flashcards
What are the inhibitory/calming neurotransmitters?
–serotonin
–GABA
What are the excitatory neurotransmitters?
–dopamine
–glutamine
Examples of “other” neurotranmitters
–acetylcholine
–histamine
–norepinephrine
amygdala
–processes emotions (anxiety, fear, pleasure)
what does serotonin modulate?
–mood
–emotion
–pain
–sleep
–appetite
–temp regulation
what psych issues are caused by decreased serotonin?
depressive and anxiety disorders
what is dopamine responsible for?
–pleasurable feelings
–complex motor activities
–plays a role in hallucinations
what psych issues are caused by decreased dopamine?
depression and addiction
what psych issues are caused by increased dopamine?
mania and positive symptoms in schizophrenia
what is norepi responsible for?
–levels affect mood, attention, and arousal
–stimulates “fight or flight” response
what psych issues are caused by decreased levels of dopamine?
depression
what psych issues are caused by increased levels of dopamine?
mania, anxiety, and schizophrenia
what is GABA responsible for?
–major inhibitory mechanism
–reduces anxiety, aggression, and stress
–regulates norepi, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin
what psych issues are caused by decreased GABA?
anxiety, mania, and schizophrenia
what does too much glutamate cause?
seizure activity and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s
What does too little glutamate cause?
psychosis, autism, OCD, depression, schizophrenia
What does acetylcholine affect?
–cognitive functioning
–sleep-wake cycles
what does too little acetylcholine cause?
–Alzheimer’s
–sleep disorders
what does too much acetylcholine cause?
depression
neuroplasticity
the ability of the brain to change with learning
synaptic pruning
–neurological process that removes unnecessary/damaged neuronal structures
–overpruning in schizophrenia
apraxia
difficulty with motor planning to perform tasks or movements (speech, fine motor skills, etc.)
