Neurotransmitters Flashcards

1
Q

How is acetylcholine formed?

A

Acetyl CoA + choline = CoA + ACh

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2
Q

Acetylcholine is recycled by the enzyme ____. What does it do?

A

acetylcholinesterase.
AChE breaks apart ACh into acetate and choline. Choline is taken back by presynaptic cell and then re-synthesized into ACh in presynaptic cell

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3
Q

Nicotinic receptor is an ___ ___ receptor that is stimulated by ___ and blocked by ____

A

Nicotinic receptor is an IONOTROPIC ACECTYLCHOLINE receptor that is stimulated by NICOTINE and blocked by CURARE

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4
Q

Muscarinic receptor is a ____ ____ receptor that is stimulated by ___ and inhibited by ____

A

Muscarinic receptor is a METABOTROPIC ACETYLCHOLINE receptor that is stimulated by MUSCARINE and inhibited by ATROPINE

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5
Q

botulinum toxin

A

ACh ANTAGONIST, prevents release by terminal buttons

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6
Q

black widow spider venom

A

triggers release of ACh

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7
Q

hemimcholinium

A

inhibits uptake of CHOLINE

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8
Q

neostigmine

A

inhibits the activity of AChE

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9
Q

atropine

A

drug that blocks MUSCARINIC ACh receptors

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10
Q

Curare

A

drug that blocks NICOTINIC ACh receptors

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11
Q

2 types of monoamines and their examples

A
  1. indolamines: serotonin

2. catecholamines: dopamine, NE, E

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12
Q

What is the precursor of catecholamines?

A

L-Dopa

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13
Q

Why use L-Dopa for Parkinson’s disease treatment?

A

because of its effect as a DOPAMINE AGONIST

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14
Q

nigrostriatal system

A

a dopaminergic system of neurons originating in the SUBSTANTA NIGRA and terminating in the NEOSTRIATUM (caudate nucleus and putanem)

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15
Q

Mesolimbic system

A

system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA and terminating in the NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS, AMYGDALA, and HIPPOCAMPUSA

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16
Q

Mesocortical system

A

system of dopaminergic neurons originating in the VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA and terminating in the PREFRONTAL CORTEX

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17
Q

symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and causes

A

symptoms: tremors, rigidity of the limbs, poor balance, difficulty initiating movements
causes: DEGENERATION OF NIGROSTRIATAL SYSTEM due to:
- unknown etiology
- viral encephalitis
- brainstem trauma/vascular damage

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18
Q

AMPT

A

DOPAMINERGIC drug that blocks the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of catecholamines

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19
Q

tyrosine becomes L-Dopa via:

A

tyrosine hydroxylase

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20
Q

L-Dopa is decarboxylated to form ____ via ____

A

L-Dapa is decarboxylated to form DOPAMINE via DOPA DECARBOXYLASE

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21
Q

reserpine

A

dopaminergic drug that interferes with the storage of monoamines in synaptic vesicles

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22
Q

apomorphine

A

dopaminergic drug that blocks dopamine autoreceptors at low doses; at higher doses it blocks postsynaptic receptors as well

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23
Q

where are nicotinic receptors usually found?

A

typically in striated muscle at motor end plate

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24
Q

monoamine oxidase (MAO)

A

dopaminergic drug

  • class of enzyme that destroys monoamines: dopamine, NE, and serotonin
  • a drug which inhibits MAO can be used to treat depression, as it would inhibit the breakdown of monoamines
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25
Q

deprenyl (he didn’t talk about in class, but it’s on slides)

A

dopaminergic drug that blocks the activity of MAO-B; acts as a DOPAMINE AGONIST

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26
Q

chlorpromazine (he didn’t talk about in class, but it’s on slides)

A

dopaminergic drug that reduces the symptoms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine D2 receptors

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27
Q

methylphenidate

A

drug that inhibits the reuptake of dopamine.

Therefore, it is a dopamine agonist, as it causes it to linger in synapse and energize behaviour

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28
Q

Why are receptors needed on the presynaptic membrane?

A

for negative feedback loop. To inhibit further secretion of dopamine. Activation of these receptors inhibits further release of NTs.

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29
Q

Epinephrine is secreted by the ___ ___

A

adrenal medulla

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30
Q

Norepinephrine is synthesized in ____

A

neurons

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31
Q

locus coeruleus

A

dark-coloured group of noradrenergic cell bodies located in the PONS near the ROSTRAL end of the floor of the FOURTH VENTRICLE

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32
Q

axonal varicosity

A

enlarged region along the length of an axon that contains synaptic vesicles and releases NTs or neuromodulators

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33
Q

idazoxan

A

drug that blocks presynaptic noradrenergic alpha-2 receptors and hence acts as an agonist, fascilitating the synthesis and release of NE

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34
Q

Which NT can cross the blood-brain barrier? NE or E?

A

NE. Epinephrine CANNOT cross BBB

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35
Q

Serotonin is also known as ____

A

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)

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36
Q

PCPA

A

drug that inhibits the activity of TRYPTOPHAN HYDROLASE and thus interferes with synthesis of 5-HT

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37
Q

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

A

drug that inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT (serotonin)

38
Q

fenfluramine

A

drug that stimulates the release of 5-HT

39
Q

mechanism of tryptophan to serotonin

A

tryptophan becomes 5-HTP via tryptophan hydroxylase.

5-HTP becomes 5-HT via 5-HTP decarboxylase

40
Q

what brain regions secrete serotonin

A

substantia nigra and Raphe nucleus

41
Q

how do humans acquire tryptophan?

A

through diet only. Cannot be synthesized in body

42
Q

LSD stimulates ___ receptors

A

5HT2A. hallucinogenic effect.

43
Q

MDMA (ecstasy)

A

drug that serves as a NE and serotonin AGONIST.

Has an excitatory hallucinogenic effect

44
Q

Most important NT in the CNS:

A

glutamate

45
Q

what does AMPA receptor do?

A

Opens Na+ channel when bound to glutamate. Stimulated by AMPA

46
Q

NMDA receptor is a specialized ____ receptor that controls a ___ channel that is normally blocked by ___ ____

A

NMDA receptor is a specialized IONOTROPIC receptor that controls a Ca2+ channel that is normally blocked by Mg+ IONS.

47
Q

___ is an indirect agonist of the NMDA receptor

A

GLYCINE.

Presence of glycine sensitizes channel

48
Q

___ is an indirect antagonist of NMDA receptor

A

ZINC

49
Q

Calcium channel of NMDA receptor only opens when it is not blocked by ___

A

Mg2+ ions

50
Q

When is Mg2+ removed from Ca2+ channel of NMDA receptor?

A

when the membrane is DEPOLARIZED

51
Q

Is the NMDA receptor voltage- or ligand-dependent? Explain

A

BOTH.

ligand: glutamate
voltage: membrane must depolarize for magnesium ion to be removed from from receptor’s central pore

52
Q

What occurs when Mg2+ is removed from NMDA central pore?

A

NMDA channel can open in response to glutamate, letting both Ca2+ and Na+ influx

53
Q

an increase in postsynaptic Ca2+ triggers an intracellular signaling cascade that ultimately leads to the insertion of additional ______ ____ into postsynaptic membrane, which strengthens the synapse

A

AMPA receptors

54
Q

AMPA receptors open in response to

A

glutamate

55
Q

How does the opening of postsynaptic NMDA receptors cause changes in synapse strength?

A

When postsynaptic Ca2+ levels rise, CALMODULIN binds calcium, forming a calcium/calmodium complex which activates CaMKII. CaMKII promotesthe insertion of additional AMPA receptors, which increases rate of ion flow

56
Q

AP5

A

drug that blocks the glutamate binding site on NMDA receptors

57
Q

PCP

A

drug that binds with the PCP binding site of the NMDA receptor. Serves as an indirect antagonist

58
Q

Most important inhibitory NT in the brain?

A

GABA

59
Q

Benzodiazepine

A

category of anxiolytic drugs; indirect AGONIST for GABAA receptor. Causes Cl- channel to open for longer

60
Q

Anxiolytic effects

A

anxiety-reducing effect

61
Q

why is alcohol + anxiolytic drugs a bad idea?

A

because GABA receptors have alcohol and barbtuate sites.

Too profund of a neurological effect

62
Q

Allyglycine

A

drug that inhibits the activity of GAD and thus BLOCKS THE SYNTHESIS OF GABA

63
Q

Muscimol

A

direct agonist for the GABA binding site on the GABAA receptor

64
Q

Bicuculline

A

direct antagonist for the GABA binding site on the GABAA receptor

65
Q

Glycine

A

glycine is an important inhibitory NT in the LOWER BRAIN STEM and SPINAL CORD

66
Q

Strychnine

A

a direct antagonist for the glycine receptor

67
Q

endorphins are a class of ____

A

peptides

68
Q

endogenous opioid

A
  • class of peptide secreted by the brain that acts as OPIATES
  • REDUCE PAIN
69
Q

What does the fact that the body responds to opioids plants extract suggest about the human body?

A

that humans produce chemicals similar to these

70
Q

enkephalin is an ___ ___

A

endogenous opioid

71
Q

naloxone is a drug that blocks ___ ___

A

opiate receptors

72
Q

what is one of the primary sites for the reward effects of opiate drugs in the brain?

A

mu receptor

73
Q

endocannabinoid

A
  • a lipid

- endogenous ligand for the cannabinoid receptors, which also binds with THC (active ingredient of marijuana)

74
Q

The active ingredient in marijuana

A

THC

75
Q

THC activates ___ receptors in the brain

A

CB1

76
Q

anandimide

A

important cannabinoid

77
Q

FAAH

A
  • fatty acid amide hydrolase

- enzyme that destroys anandamide after it is brought back into the cell by anandamide transporters

78
Q

rimonabant is a drug that bocks ___ receptors

A

CB1

79
Q

MAFP

A

drug that inhibits FAAH, preventing the breakdown of anandamide

80
Q

Are CB1 and CB2 refceceptors ionotropic or metabotropic?

A

metabotropic

81
Q

CB1 receptos are found in the ___ and CB2 receptors in the ___

A

CB1 receptos are found in the CNS and CB2 receptors in the PNS

82
Q

Positive effects of cannabinoids

A

beneficial effects in glaucoma, asthma, and nausea in cancer tratment

83
Q

neg effects of cannabinoids

A

impaired visuomotor coordination, attention and memory, evidence of IQ depression in prolonged use

84
Q

adenosine

A
  • nucleoside
  • combination of ribose and adenine
  • serves as a neuromodulator in the brain
85
Q

caffeine

A

drug that blocks adenosine receptors

86
Q

nitric oxide (NO)

A

gas produced by cells in the nervous system

-used as a means to communicate between cells

87
Q

nitric oxide synthase

A

-enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide

88
Q

nitric oxide synthase is inactivated by ___

A

L-NAME

89
Q

Cholinergic projections in rat brain

A
  1. from the DORSOLATERAL PONS to substantia nigra, thalamus, deep cerebellar nuclei, tectum, pontine reticular formation, locus coeruleu, vestibular nuclei, Raphe nuclei, medullary reticular formation
  2. from the BASAL FOREBRAIN to the neocortex
  3. from the CAUDATE NUCLEUS, PUTAMEN, AND NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS
  4. from the MEDIAL SEPTUM to the olfactory bulb, the neocortex, hippocampus, and lateral hypothalamus
90
Q

Dopaminergic projections in rat brain

A
  1. from SUBSTANTIA NIGRA to globus pallidus and caudate nucleus and putamen
  2. from VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA to lateral habenula, thalamus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, lateral septum, anterior olfactory nucleus, olfactory tubercle, and neocortex
91
Q

Noradrenergic pathways in a rat brain

A
  1. from LOCUS COERULEUS to cerebellum, tectum, spinal cord, hypothalamus, preoptic area, basal ganglia, hippocampus, amygdala, septum, olfactory bulb, and neocortex
92
Q

Serotonergic projections in rat brain

A
  1. from RAPHE NUCLEI to substantia nigra, cerebellum, spinal cord, spinal trigeminal nucleus, tectum, habenula, thalamus, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, amygdala, septum, hippocampus, olfactory tubercle, olfactory bulb, neocortex.