Neurotransmitters

Question 1

Serotonin

Answer 1

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Undersupply linked to depression; some antidepressant drugs raise serotonin levels

Question 2

Dopamine

Answer 2

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Oversupply linked to schizophrenia; undersupply linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson’s disease and ADHD

Question 3

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 3

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory

ACh-producing neurons deteriorate as Alzheimer’s disease progresses

Question 4

Norepinephrine

Answer 4

Helps control alertness and arousal

Undersupply can depress mood and cause ADHD-like attention problems

Question 5

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Answer 5

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Question 6

Glutamate

Answer 6

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; also involved in memory

Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

Question 7

Endorphins

Answer 7

“Endogenous morphine”- response to pain, exercise

Decreased production in drug users; withdrawal extremely painful