Neurotransmitters Flashcards
what neurotransmitter binds to dopaminergic receptors?
dopamine
what neurotransmitter binds to adrenergic receptors?
norepinephrine and epinephrine
what neurotransmitter binds to noradrenergic receptors?
norepinephrine
what neurotransmitter binds to serotonergic receptors?
serotonin
what neurotransmitter binds to cholinergic receptors?
acetylcholine
two types of cholinergic receptors
muscarinic and nicotinic
abbreviation for serotonin
5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine)
components of serotonin
tryptophan + tryptophan hyxroxylase
where is serotonin found?
majority is in the GI tract, but some in the brain
do serum levels of serotonin correlate with brain serotonin levels?
NO serum serotonin CANNOT cross the BBB
specific location of serotonin in the brainstem
raphe nuclei
some roles of serotonin
sleep, mood, sexual desire, sexual function, appetite, memory, learning, temperature regulation and social behavior
what type of neurotransmitter is dopamine?
catacholamine
what type of neurotransmitter is norepinephrine?
catacholamine
where are dopamine and norpeinephrine derived?
tyrosine from diet
what happens when tyrosine enters dopaminergic neurons?
chemical transformation
steps of tyrosine to dopamine and norepinephrine conversion
- tyrosine + tyrosine hydroxylase = L-DOPA
- L-DOPA + L-amino acid decarboxylase = dopamine
- dopamine + dopamine beta-hydroxylase = norepinephrine
how many dopaminergic neurons are there compared to adrenergic?
MANY, MANY more
primary locations of dopaminergic neurons
- nigrostriatal: movement control (think parkinsons)
- mesolimbic: reward effects of pleasure
- mesocortical: planning and problem solving
rols of norepinephrine
attention and responding reactions, fight or flight response, arousal and alertness, memory
what degrades norepinephrine that is in the synapse?
monoamine oxidase (MAO)
where is norepinephrine released?
pons, medulla and some of the thalamus (projections to most areas of the brain)
