Neurotransmitter systems III:Monoamines Flashcards
How many systems of the monoamine modulating systems of the brain and what is there common principle?
4 systems with common principles:
- Small set of neurons at core
- Arise from the brain stem
- One neuron influence many others
- Synapses release transmitter molecules into extracellular fluid
Metabotropic receptors and their effect on AC or PLC
5HT1-Inhibits AC 5HT2-Stimulates PLC Dopamine 1-Stimulates AC Dopamine 2-Inhibits AC Noradrenaline beta-Stimulates AC Noradrenaline alpha1-Stimulates PLC Noradrenaline alpha2-Inhibits AC
AC=adenylyl cyclase
PLC=Phospholipase C
What does noradrenaline consist of?
Consist of noradrenergic neurons which project from the locus coeruleus to different parts of the brain
What nervous system is noradrenaline important in?
Important in CNS
What is noradrenaline involved in?
Involved in hyperarousal in flight or fight situation
What can Noradrenaline activate on the presynaptic membrane?
NA can also activate presynaptic alpha 2 adrenergic receptors(autoreceptor) which inhibits release of noradrenaline
How is NA modulated?
Modulated by reuptake of excess NA into neuron and broken down by monoamine oxidase A
What does reserpine do to NA?
Depletes NA stores by inhibiting vesicular uptake
What does amphetamine do to NA?
Amphetamine enters vesicles displacing NA into cytoplasm, increasing NA leakage out of neuron
What does cocaine do to NA?
Cocaine blocks NA re-uptake
What is dopamine released from?
Released from dopadrenergic neurons
How many pathways are involved in the movement of dopamine and what are they?
4 pathways involved in movement:
- Mesocortical pathway
- Tuberohypophyseal pathway
- Nigrostriatal pathway
- Mesolimbic pathway
What does the nigrostriatal pathway involve?
Involve neurons that project from the substantia nigra to striatum of the brain where dopamine gets released
What does the mesolimbic pathway involve?
Involve neurons that project from the VTA to different regions of the brain such as amygdala, hippocampus as well as the nucleus accumbens
What does the mesolimbic pathway have a role in?
Has an important role in reward
What is psychotic like behavior due to?
Psychotic like behaviour is due to large hyperactivity of the mesolimbic pathway
What does the mesocortical pathway involve?
Involve neurons that project from the VTA to the cortex
What happens in the tuberohypophyseal pathway?
DA is released from neurons to activate adjacent neurons but also can act as a neurohormone
What does hyperactivity of dopamine receptors in CT2 help with?
Hyperactivation of dopamine receptors in regions of the brain involved in vomiting such as the CT2 helps with emesis
How is dopamine synthesised?
- Precursor molecule of DA is tyrosine
- Tyrosine converted to DOPA via tyrosine hydroxylase
- DOPA gets metabolised to dopamine via DOPA decarboxylase
What happens to DA at the synapse?
- DA is in vesicles and get released
- DA acts in D1 and D2 receptors post-synaptically
- D2 also found presynaptically and inhibit DA
How is the action of DA terminated?
Termination of DA:
-DA taken up again into neuron and is broken down by monoamine oxidase B
What are the ways we can increase the levels of DA?
- Could block the reuptake of DA and it will accumulate
- Block the monoamine oxidase B
- Can use L-DOPA which is a precursor of DA
How do we treat the symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Block the DA receptors
- Antipsychotics block D2 receptors
What is included in the D1 like receptor family?
- D1
- D5