Neurotransmitters

Question 1

Chemical Synapse

Answer 1

Neurotransmitter is released by presynaptic neuron which opens ion channels in postsynaptic target, when APs reach synapse, the V-gated Ca++ channels open and the hi Ca++ in the synaptic knob cause exocytosis of the neurotransmitter vesicles

Question 2

Ionotropic receptors

Answer 2

Open channels for ions that depolarize and therefore excite postsynaptic cell or can open channels for ions that hyper polarize and therefore inhibit postsynaptic cell, the postsynaptic cell adds up excitatory and inhibits inputs and it reaches the threshold firing AP

Question 3

Hyperpolarize

Answer 3

Make membrane voltage more negative

Question 4

Metabotropic receptors

Answer 4

Generate second messengers that affect adjacent ion channels or cause other cellular effects, they are slower and act longer than ionotropic channels, are not found on ion channels

Question 5

Classical NTs

Answer 5

8 small molecular neurotransmitters: ACh, NE, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, glycine, glutamate, and aspartate

Question 6

Neuropeptides

Answer 6

Larger than classical, consist of short chains of AA, released along the sides of synaptic knob, don’t open channels directly, are metabotropic, can adjust sensitivity of synapses by controlling number of receptors

Question 7

Gaseous NTs

Answer 7

Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide, viagra and nitroglycerin are vasodilators that affect NO levels, affect how much of another NT is released

Question 8

Endocannabinoids

Answer 8

Lipids that are synthesized on demand and not stored in vesicles, primarily involved in regulating activity of other NT systems, involved in our experience of novelty and habituation to non-novel stimuli

Question 9

ACh

Answer 9

Acetylcholine, used at all nerve/skeletal muscle synapses and in ANS and brain

Question 10

NE

Answer 10

Norepinephrine, involved in setting level of arousal and in ANS

Question 11

Dopamine

Answer 11

Neurotransmitter for motor control and reward systems

Question 12

Parkinson’s Disease

Answer 12

Caused by by degeneration of the motor control part of the brain

Question 13

Reward System

Answer 13

Linked to addiction and schizophrenia

Question 14

Serotonin

Answer 14

Subsystems play a role in emotion, mood, behavior, appetite, brain circulation (migraines), and learning

Question 15

OCD

Answer 15

People with this have low serotonin levels

Question 16

LSD

Answer 16

Stimulates serotonin’s main excitatory receptor

Question 17

GABA

Answer 17

Brain NT, always inhibitory, open Cl- channels, many sedative/tranquilizing drugs act by enhancing effects of this, examples: valium, alcohol and barbiturates

Question 18

Glycine

Answer 18

Spinal chord NT, always inhibitory, open Cl- channels

Question 19

Glutamate

Answer 19

Always excitatory, most common NT

Question 20

Asparate

Answer 20

Always excitatory

Question 21

Substance P

Answer 21

Neuropeptide pain neurotransmitter

Question 22

Opiate NTs

Answer 22

Neuropeptide, enkephalins, endorphin, dynorphin, block release of Sub P and increase dopamine, mediate placebo effect,

Question 23

Analgesics

Answer 23

Body’s own pain killers

Question 24

Naloxon (Narcan)

Answer 24

opiate antagonist, often given for drug overdose

Question 25

THC

Answer 25

Makes things seem novel again, chronic abuse also causes a # of cannabinoid receptors to go down so that when it is withdrawn nothing seems interesting

Question 26

Release of NTs

Answer 26

All neurons release a combination of one classical and one or more neuropeptides at their synapse, except myelinated, sensory and motor neurons

Question 27

At low rates of AP what NTs are fired

Answer 27

Only classical neurotransmitter is released

Question 28

At high rates of AP what NTs are fired

Answer 28

Both types are released

Question 29

Cholinesterase

Answer 29

Inactivates ACh, nerve gases inhibit it causing muscle convulsions and profuse tearing, drooling and runny nose

Question 30

Reuptake

Answer 30

Most common mechanism for inactivation

Question 31

Depression

Answer 31

Accompanied by imbalance of neurotransmitters, main players are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine

Question 32

SSRIs

Answer 32

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Prozac and Zoloft , increase serotonin levels, side effects are a problem because there are 12 subtypes of serotonin receptors

Question 33

NDRTs

Answer 33

Antidpressant, inhibits NE/dopa uptake

Question 34

SNRIs

Answer 34

Antidepressant, inhibits serotonin/NE

Question 35

NT co-modulation

Answer 35

Example is that an SSRI that increases serotonin can cause dopamine and NE to move unpredictably, drugs can can change the sensitivity of receptors for NTs they target

Question 36

Sensitization

Answer 36

A neurotransmitter antagonist often causes an increase in # and sensitivity of receptors for that NT

Question 37

Tolerance

Answer 37

Many drugs that are antagonist cause # and sensitivity of receptors to disease, which is why you have to take more and more of some drugs to get the same effect