Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Fast neurotransmitters
How long their effects last?
Slow or fast communication?
Examples of 3
Short lasting effects
Rapid communication
Acetyl choline
Glutamate (GLU) (excitatory)
GABA (inhibitory)
Slow neuromodulators
How long their effects last?
Slow or fast communication?
Examples of 3
Lasts longer
Takes time
Noradrenaline
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetyl choline, where is it found and used?
Major N of the PNS at neuromuscular junction
Used in brain and spinal cord
Neurones that release Ach are known as….
Cholinergic neurones
What is Ach synthesised from?
Choline (food) and Acetyle coenzyme A (cytoplasm of synapses)
What enzyme destroys Ach?
Acetylcholinesterase
What does AchE break down Ach to?
Choline and acetate
What are the 2 types of Ach receptors?
Nicotinergic
Muscarinic
Nicotinergic
Responds to?
Found in?
Key for?
Nicotine and Ach
Found In neuromuscular junctions
Key for behavior - brain
Found in reward pathways - addictive
Muscarinic
Responds to?
Acts on?
Responds to muscarine (mushroom poison) and Ach
Acts on peripheral organs/glands eg, salivary glands, heart, lungs (PNS)
What happens when AchE is inhibited?
Increased Ach
Uncontrolled muscle contraction/ muscle weakness
Can lead to receptor desensitization and paralysis
Noradrenaline
It is a transmitter where?
What is it affected by?
Heart and CNS
Increased stimulants
Anti depressants
Dopamine
Important transitter in the?
Affected by?
Antipsychotics = decrease
Stimulants = increase
Anti parkinsons drug (L-DOPO) uses NAd enzyme to make more dopamine for patient
Serotonin
What does it have an effect on?
What is it affected by?
Excitatory effect on pathways that mediate sensation
Antidepressants (prozac) = increased
Ecstasy- destroys terminal axons in serotonergic receptors
What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter?
Glutamate
