Neurotransmitters Flashcards
1
Q
Serotonergic (serotonin (5-HT))
A
- mood, eating, arousal, sleep, aggression (MEASA)
- strong link with depression (SSRIs)
- linked to OCD, Prozac
- hallucinogens enhance serotonin which affects rational thinking
2
Q
Noradrenergic (norepinephrine (NE))
A
- ALERTNESS
- activated NE will stop the body’s focus on anything that’s not life or death (suppressed appetite)
- activated by stimulants
3
Q
Cholinergic (acetylcholine (ACh))
A
- learning, memory, REM sleep
- necessary for all muscular movement
- blocking all ACh would result in paralysis and death (can’t move diaphragm)
- extreme amt of botulinum toxin can prevent ACh release and result in death
- extreme amt of black widow spider venom can result in death by overstimulation
- nicotine is ACh agonist
- low ACh can cause Alzheimer’s
4
Q
Glutamergic (glutamate) (glutamine (amino acid))
A
- main excitatory NT in CNS
- learning and memory
- proposed role in Alzheimer’s
- PCP, ketamine, and alcohol
- chronic alcoholic going cold turkey from alcohol (glutamate antagonist) would result in too high glutamate activity, causes seizures
5
Q
GABAergic (GABA)
A
- main inhibitory NT of CNS
- widespread across body
- agonists are benzos, barbiturates, alcohol
6
Q
Opiodergic (opioids/endorphins)
A
- endogenous opioids: endorphins
- cough suppression, analgesia, euphoria, sedation
- drugs are morphine, heroin, codeine, oxy, etc.
- Narcan: blocks opioid receptors, used for opioid ODs
7
Q
Cannabinoid (CB)
A
- natural ligand: anandamide, associated with a runner’s high
- THC has variable effects
- lots of CB receptors in high order areas
- THC can cause anxiety and heavy limbs
8
Q
Dopaminergic (Dopamine (DA))
A
- movement, attention, learning
- SUBSTANCE ABUSE PATHWAY!!!
- DA agonists can cause drug-induced psychosis, similar to schizophrenia
- ADHD patients have low DA activity in the caudate nucleus
- lack of DA neurons in the substantia nigra can cause Parkinson’s disease
