Neurotransmitters Flashcards
define biogenic amines
biogenic substance with one or more amine groups; a basic nitrogenous compound formed by decarboxylation of an amino acid or by amination or transamination of an aldehyde or ketone
examples of biogenic amines
serotonin acetylcholine norepinephrine
Who did the experiments with frogs to discover neurotransmitters (NTs)?
Otto Loewi
what makes a neurotransmitter excitatory or inhibitory
Receptor through which NT acts (NOT transmitter itself)
what NTs are considered small molecules
biogenic amines amino acids
where are biogenic amines synthesized
nerve terminal
what are the biogenic amines
acetylcholine dopamine serotonin histamine norepinephrine epinephrine
which of the biogenic amines are also catecholamines
epinephrine norepinephrine dopamine
what are the amino acids
GABA glutamate aspartate glycine
what NTs are considered large molecules
peptides
what are the peptides
opioid family: enkephalin endorphin dynorphin
where are peptides synthesized
made in cell body from precursor peptides and then shipped to terminals
what are peptides often co-released with
a classical transmitter
other examples of NTs AKA co-factors AKA second messengers
NO CO adenosine eicosanoids taurine tryptamine prostaglandins neuroactive steroids
what NTs are typically excitatory in the brain
glutamate aspartate small percentage ACh
what is the direction of projections for glutamate
descending
role of glutamate in CNS function
majority of fast synaptic transmission
which disease results from too much glutamatergic transmission
Epilepsy
which disease results from neurotoxicity via subtype of glutamate receptor
Huntington’s
which diseases are due to problems with glutamate
epilepsy huntington’s