Neurotransmitters! Flashcards
Main NT in the brain?
Glutamate
What are the 2 receptors that the main NT in the brain acts on?
AMPA and NMDA
AMPA = fast, EPSP, Na+
NMDA = slower, long lasting, memory, Na+ and Ca++
What is the main inhibitory NT in the brain?
GABA
What two receptors does the main inhibitory NT in the brain act on?
GABAa and GABAb
GABAa = Chloride channel!
GABAb = G Protein coupled K+ channel
What is the main inhibitory NT in the spinal cord?
What kind of channel does it act on?
Glycine!
Acts on chlorine channel!
What kind of classical NT typically has global effects and what are the three examples of this?
Monoamines!
NE, Dopamine, Seratonin!
What acts on alpha and beta receptors?
What kind of receptors are these?
What does this regulate?
NE acts on them!
These are G protein coupled receptors
This regulates wakefulness and attention!
What does dopamine act on?
What does it regulate?
Acts on G protein coupled receptors!
NOT acting directly on an ion channel…
Regulated reward, motivation, mood
What does serotonin act on?
What is another name for serotonin?
What does it regulate?
Acts on G protein coupled receptors.
BUT it DOES act on one receptor that is an ion channel directly!
Other name: 5-HT
Regulates mood, wakefulness, targeted by antidepressants!
What NT is often targeted by antidepressants?
Serotonin!
What two types of receptors does ACh act on?
Nicotinic and muscarinic!
Where is ACh most importantly used?
At the neuromuscular junction!
It is also a brain NT
What type of receptors are Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors?
Both receptors for ACh.
Nicotinic is an ion channel that lets in Na+ or Ca++
Muscarinic is a g-protein coupled receptor! It is important for memory!
Substance P does what?
It is a neuropeptide NT that is important for pain sensation in the CNS
Enkephalins and Endorphin?
endogenous opioids that inhibit substance P release….
Analgesia effect!
Nitric Oxide?
What kind of NT?
Important for what?
Unconventional NT!
Not stored in vesicles… diffuses on it’s own!
Important for memory, also relaxes smooth muscle.
Cannabinoids
Marijuana like endogenous substance
Affects memory, cognition, reward, and appetite.
Acts via retrograde transmission to motify the action of the pre-synaptic neuron!
What is one of the fastest enzymes to break down NT?
What does it break down and what does this end up as?
AChE
Breaks down ACh into Choline and acetate! (Inactive)
Peptidases
Break down peptides SLOWLY!
Very non-specific!
Botox toxin….
What does it act on and what is the mechanism…
Causes muscle relaxation
It acts by inhibiting the release of ACh.
HOW == by inhibiting the formation of the SNARE complex (docking and priming)
Tetanus toxin…
What does it act on
Inhibits the release of GABA and Glycine
This therefore causes constant excitation because GABA and glycine are inhibitory NT
GABA = main inhibitory NT in the brain Glycine = main inhibitory NT in the spinal cord
Prozac
Inhibits the uptake of NT serotonin!!
Cocaine
Inhibits the uptake of dopamine!
PCP/Ketamine!
NMDA receptor antagonist!
NMDA receptor == Glutamate acts on it slowly to excite and work in memory.
So this works in anesthesia! – makes you not care!
Morphine, fentanyl, oxy, etc.
Work like endogenous opioids!
stimulate opioid receptors!
