Neurotransmitters Flashcards
What is the 4 criteria a neurotransmitter must satisfy?
- must be made in the pre-synaptic neuron
- must be stored per-synaptically in vesicles
- must be released on demand
- must be inactivated
What are the paths of a neurotransmitter when it is released?
- diffused out of the cell
- inactivated by an enzyme
- re-uptaked
What is a neurotransmitter receptor?
a protein that binds to and is activated by a neurotransmitter via the lock and key hypothesis
What are the amino acid neurotransmitters and their state?
glutamate - excitatory
GABA - inhibitory
glycine - inhibitory
What are the biogenic amine neurotransmitters?
catecholamines
indolamines
What are the peptide neurotransmitters?
encephalin
endorphin
dynorphin
What is glutamate involved in?
memory, learning and cell death
What is synaptic plasticity?
the process by which synapses are strengthened or weakened by feedback mechanisms
What are the main catecholamines?
norepinephrine
epinephrine
dopamine
What is norepinephrine used for?
Parkinson’s ADHD
What is epinephrine used for?
cardiac and circulatory problems
What is dopamine used for?
pleasure, addiction and movement
What are the main indoleamines?
serotonin
psychostimulants
What are the functions of serotonin?
depression
mood swings
sleep
anxiety
What are examples of psychostimulants?
amphetamines
ecstasy
