Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Too little serotonin
depression and some anxiety disorders such a s OCD
Too much serotonin
increased in anxiety states
Function of Serotonin
Plays a role in sleep regulation, hunger, mood states and pain perception
Hormonal activity
Plays a role in aggression and sexual behavior
too much dopamine
Schizophrenia and mania
too little dopamine
Some forms of depression, muscular rigidity, and tremors found in Parkinson’s disease
Function of Dopamine
involved in fine muscle movement
Involved in integration of emotions and thoughts
Involved in decision making (frontal lobe)
Stimulates hypothalamus to release hormones (sex. Thyroid, adrenal)
Function of Norepinephrine
Level in brain affects mood
Attention and arousal
Stimulates sympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system for “fight or flight” in response to stress
Too little Norepinephrine
Depression
Too much Norepinephrine
Schizophrenia
Mania
Anxiety states
Function of GABA
Plays a role in inhibition, reduces aggression, excitation, and anxiety.
May play a role in pain perception
Has anticonvulsant and muscle-relaxing properties
May impair cognition and psychomotor functioning
Too little GABA
anxiety disorders
schizophrenia
mania
Huntington’s Disease
Increased levels of GABA
reduces anxiety
Too much Adrenaline
anxiety and anxiety disorders
too little epinephrine
depression
Function of Acetylcholine
Plays a role in learning, memory
Regulates mood: mania, sexual aggression
Affects sexual and aggressive behavior
Stimulates parasympathetic nervous system
