Neurotransmitters!

Question 1

Main NT in the brain?

Answer 1

Glutamate

Question 2

What are the 2 receptors that the main NT in the brain acts on?

Answer 2

AMPA and NMDA

AMPA = fast, EPSP, Na+

NMDA = slower, long lasting, memory, Na+ and Ca++

Question 3

What is the main inhibitory NT in the brain?

Answer 3

GABA

Question 4

What two receptors does the main inhibitory NT in the brain act on?

Answer 4

GABAa and GABAb

GABAa = Chloride channel!

GABAb = G Protein coupled K+ channel

Question 5

What is the main inhibitory NT in the spinal cord?

What kind of channel does it act on?

Answer 5

Glycine!

Acts on chlorine channel!

Question 6

What kind of classical NT typically has global effects and what are the three examples of this?

Answer 6

Monoamines!

NE, Dopamine, Seratonin!

Question 7

What acts on alpha and beta receptors?

What kind of receptors are these?

What does this regulate?

Answer 7

NE acts on them!

These are G protein coupled receptors

This regulates wakefulness and attention!

Question 8

What does dopamine act on?

What does it regulate?

Answer 8

Acts on G protein coupled receptors!

NOT acting directly on an ion channel…

Regulated reward, motivation, mood

Question 9

What does serotonin act on?

What is another name for serotonin?

What does it regulate?

Answer 9

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!

Question 10

What NT is often targeted by antidepressants?

Answer 10

Serotonin!

Question 11

What two types of receptors does ACh act on?

Answer 11

Nicotinic and muscarinic!

Question 12

Where is ACh most importantly used?

Answer 12

At the neuromuscular junction!

It is also a brain NT

Question 13

What type of receptors are Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors?

Answer 13

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!

Question 14

Substance P does what?

Answer 14

It is a neuropeptide NT that is important for pain sensation in the CNS

Question 15

Enkephalins and Endorphin?

Answer 15

endogenous opioids that inhibit substance P release….

Analgesia effect!

Question 16

Nitric Oxide?

What kind of NT?

Important for what?

Answer 16

Unconventional NT!

Not stored in vesicles… diffuses on it’s own!

Important for memory, also relaxes smooth muscle.

Question 17

Cannabinoids

Answer 17

Marijuana like endogenous substance

Affects memory, cognition, reward, and appetite.

Acts via retrograde transmission to motify the action of the pre-synaptic neuron!

Question 18

What is one of the fastest enzymes to break down NT?

What does it break down and what does this end up as?

Answer 18

AChE

Breaks down ACh into Choline and acetate! (Inactive)

Question 19

Peptidases

Answer 19

Break down peptides SLOWLY!

Very non-specific!

Question 20

Botox toxin….

What does it act on and what is the mechanism…

Answer 20

Causes muscle relaxation

It acts by inhibiting the release of ACh.

HOW == by inhibiting the formation of the SNARE complex (docking and priming)

Question 21

Tetanus toxin…

What does it act on

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Prozac

Answer 22

Inhibits the uptake of NT serotonin!!

Question 23

Cocaine

Answer 23

Inhibits the uptake of dopamine!

Question 24

PCP/Ketamine!

Answer 24

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!

Question 25

Morphine, fentanyl, oxy, etc.

Answer 25

Work like endogenous opioids!

stimulate opioid receptors!