Neurotransmitter Systems Flashcards
Excitatory NTs
increase the likelihood an AP will happen
(depolarize)
Glutamate
Amines ending in -ine (dopamine, epinephrine)
Inhibitory NTs
Decrease the likelihood an AP will happen (hyperpolarize)
GABA
Glycine
Metabotropic NT Receptors
Uses G-proteins and Secondary messengers to modulate proteins and channels
Ionotropic NT Receptors
Opens ion channels
Glutamate
MOST COMMON NT in the brain
50% of all neurons use it
75% of all excitatory NT in the brain
Connected to hippocampus: learning and memory
Schizophrenia: hypofunction in prefrontal cortex
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Synthesized from glutamate
50% of inhibitory NTs
Opens Cl- to hyperpolarize the cell
Impaired in anxiety and insomnia
Acetylcholine
High Levels: Learning and Memory
Alertness and thoughts
Alzheimer’s Disease and ACH
Damage to ACH-producing cells in the basal forebrain
Catecholamines
Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting step of synthesis
Serotonin
Produced in rostal and caudal raphe nuclei in Brain Stem
Dopaminergic Pathways
Nigro-striatal System
Mesolimbic Forebrain
Tuberoinfundibular System
Nigro-striated System
Substantia nigra to caudate nucleus-putamen
sensory stimuli and movement
Neural death in these areas related to Parkinson’s
Medolimbic Forebrain
Memory, reward system, emotions
ADHD, depression, hallucinations, addiction
Tuberoinfundibular System
Regulation of Prolactin secretion from ANT pituitary
