neurotransmitters Flashcards
what type of neurons release ACh
somatic motor neurons
where in the brain in Ach Released
basal forebrain
name the receptor that binds Ach
Nicotinic
in which nervous system does ACh work
Autonomic nervous system
after release from the forebrain where do the signals go?
cerebral cortex and hippocampus
what is the function of ACh
- Arousal
- Wakefulness
- Learning
name another receptor that binds to ACh besides Nicotinic
Muscarinic
what happens in Alzheimer’s disease
Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain die
how is Alzheimer’s managed in the context of ACh
by giving acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
give an example of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Rivastigmine
Name the two main Glutamate receptors
AMPA and NMDA
what does the NMDA do that the AMPA does not do
- they open only during depolarization
- they allow Ca2+ to flow in
what function does Ca2+ play
they act as second messengers and are important in long term potentiation
activation of which receptors will cause future ESPS to be bigger and what significance does it serve
NMDA and it is important in Long Term Potentiation
how can LTP be induced
- adding more AMPA receptors
- phosphorylation of AMPA receptors
- release of more glutamate
how do the Metabotropic receptors work
by having the G protein to activate a Diacylglycerol-inositol triphosphate second messenger cascade
what is the main function of GABA
It acts as a inhibitor neurotransmitter
what function does the GABA receptors perform in terms of channels
they result in a influx of Cl ions
what factors target/compete for sites of GABA receptors
- Alcohol
- Anaesthetics
- Benzodiazepines (drug that slows down brain and body function)
where is GABA commonly found
presynaptic signals
what are the two receptors for GABA
Ionotropic and Metabotropic
what is the molecular name of serotonin
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)
where in the brain is Serotonin released
Raphe nuclei
what is the function of serotonin
- Mood, emotions and sleep
- control food intake
- cognitive pathway
- thermoregulation and pain
what elevates serotonin levels
- anti-depressants
in aggression are the levels or serotonin high or low
high
does appetite increase or decrease with high serotonin levels
decrease
explain the life cycle of serotonin
it is removed from the synapse by specific transporters (SERT) and when it gets back to the presynaptic terminal it can either be reloaded into vesicles or broken down by enzymes
what enzyme breaks down serotonin in the presynaptic terminal?
MAO - monoamine oxidase
where is the enzyme MAO found?
Mitochrondria of the presynaptic neuron
name the three catecholamines
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
what is the function of Catecholamines
- Mood
- Movement
- attention
- autonomic function
what is the function of Tyrosine Hydroxylase
it is a rate limiting enzyme involved in catecholamines synthesis
name the four pathways Dopamine in involved in
- Nigrostriatal pathway
- Mesolimbic pathway
- Mesocortical pathway
- Tuberinfundibular Pathway
what is the function of the Nigrostriatal pathway
Movement
where does the mesolimbic pathway originate
the ventral tegmental area
what is the function of the mesolimbic
Motivation and Desire
where does the mesocortical pathway project to?
frontal lobe
what is the function of the mesocortical pathway
motivation in cognition
motivation in sensation
conscious emotion
what disease is associated with the mesocortocal and mesolimbic
ADHD
Schizophrenia
where does the tuberinfundibular pathway originate and project
Arcuate nucleous of the Hypothalamus and projects into the pituitary gland (posterior lobe)
what is the function of the tuberinfundibular pathway
release of prolactin
which receptors are the activation receptors for Dopamine
D1 and D5
which receptors are the inhibitory receptors for Dopamine
D2, D3 and D4
what disease in linked with Dopamine
Parkinson’s
ADHD
Schizophrenia
what drugs work against dopamine
Cocaine - blocks reuptake of dopamine by blocking
transporter on the presynaptic neuron
Methamphetamine - reverses the action of the
transporter, which then actively pumps out more
dopamine
where is norepinephrine released
Pons and medulla
what is the function of norepinephrine
Arousal and Vigilance
