Neurotransmitters and Drugs Quiz Flashcards
Neurotransmitters
endogneous (self-made) chemicals when transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse
how many known neurotransmitters are there
60
Neurotransmitters
-produced by a neuron
-causes excitation/inhibition
-stored in the synaptic vesicle
-works only in the nervous system
-deactivates quickly
4 classes of NTs
-amino acids
-monoamine
-soluble gas
-acetylcholine
how many known peptides are there
at least 100
Amino Acids
-fast acting NTs and fastly produced
-simple building blocks from proteins
Glutamate and aspartamate
excitatory
Glutamate: sugar that is bonded with another AA
Aspartamate: a carbohydrate linked with AA
Glycine and GABA
inhibitory
Glycine and Butyric: fat bonded with AA
GABA= Gamma Amino Butyric Acid
Benzodiazepines (valium)
Increases/enhances the effect of GABA
prescribed for anxiety disorders
Alcohol
Suppressant/depressant
-suppressing the activities of excitatory nerve pathways
-increases the activities of inhibitory nerve pathways
-enhances the effects of GABA
progression on the brain during alcohol intake
Cerebral Cortex
Limbic system
cerebellum
hypothalamus and pituitary gland
medulla
Monoamine NTs
1/1000 (MA/AA)
Synthesized from a single AA and is chemically more complex than AA
3 catecholamines
catecholamines
tyrosine (AA) converts to NT
3 catecholamines: dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine
dopamine
-feel good NT, a reward chemical
-produced in the substantia nigra
-released by hypothalamus
-does not cross the BBB and the drug does not affect the CNS
Epinephrine
when you do not feel any pain
-produced by Adrenal Gland
-used in cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis and bleeding
-fight/flight mech (sympathetic nervous system)
-response to anxiety, exercise, or fear
Norepinephrine
-From SNS and increases the rate of heart contractions
-released from the adrenal medulla to the blood as a hormone
rest and digest (parasympathetic)
Serotonin (monoamine)
mood, emotion, sustained sleep, appetite, sensory perception, temperature regulation, memory social behavior
-90% is found in the digestive tract (a lot in the gut)
-manufactured in pineal body
-made from tryptophan
Soluble Gas NTs
-lasts for a few seconds
-secondary message
-Nitric Oxide (in the air and is the breakdown of organic stuff)
-smooth muscle relaxation
-vasodilation (viagra)
-avoidance learning (LT potential)
-air pollution
*DON’T CONFUSE WITH N2O, NITROUS OXIDE, AN ANESTHETIC AND GREENHOUSE GAS
Botox
-botulinum toxin type A
-Botulism life-threatening food poisoning
-Blocks release of Ach leading to (3 month) paralysis of muscles
Atropine
Belladonna (beautiful lady)
-dizzar delirium and hallucinations
-blocks off Ach receptors
-medically used in bradycardia (low HR)
Carbon Monoxide
-cements memories in the hippocampus
-memories are erased without CM
-large concentrations=deadly
Acetylcholine
-Only NT used in motor division of the somatic NS
-gross motor movements
-found in the CNS and PNS
-used within the muscles
Alzheimer’s disease
-decrease of Ach
-formation of Plagues and Tangles
-60 y/o early onset, however, this data is outdated and it is being found in 30-40 y/os
-Different theories:
-being female
-having high blood pressure for a long time
-history of head trauma
-lack of serotonin
Curare
plant poison
Blocks the acceptance of Ach
-temporary loss in motor function
-respiratory muscles
Neuropeptides (NP)
-100 known peptides
-acts as specific signals between one population of neurons and another
-possible linked between neuropeptides and the development of Type 1 diabetes
-oxytocin and vasopressin specific effects on social behaviors, including maternal behaviors and relationships
Endorphins (opioids)
-self made morphine
-produced by the pituitary gland / hypothalamus during exercise, child delivery, spicy foods, and emotions of love
-fight or flight
-“runners high”
Fentanyl
-powerful and synthetic opioid (similar to morphine)
-50-100x more potent
-it is a prescription drug that is also made and used illegally
-like morphine, it is a medicine that is typically used to treat patients with severe pain
How is fentanyl used
-prescribed as a shot, a patch is put on a person’s skin, or as lozenges (cough drops)
ILLEGAL: 2 grams considered lethal
How does fentanyl work
-binds to body’s opioid receptors
-found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions
-after taking a lot, the body adapts to the drug, diminishing its sensitivity
-makes it hard to feel pleasure from anything but drugs
Effects of fentanyl
-extreme happiness
-drowsiness
-nausea
-confusion
-constipation
-sedation
-problems breathing
-unconsciousness
Marijuana
-Anandamide (NT) lipid
-reduces blood pressure, increases relaxation, reducing coordination, increasing sleepiness, lowering attention span and creating a sense of altered mind and space
-neurogenesis in the hippocampus
What is in marijuana
TCH- delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis)
CBD- cannabidiol
-can be pain relieving unlike TCH
-marijuana reaches the brain quickly and effects lasts for a couple of hours
-cocaine and amphetamine act directly on dopamine
-Marijuana works with GABA and Dopamine
bad effects of marijuana
-causes IQ loss, up to 8 pts (in young kids)
-depression, anxiety, depressive episodes
-driving
-decrease in athlete
-development, breast milk
-relationships affected
-educational oucomes
-low career achievements (low motivation)
-reduced life satisfaction
Statistics for marijuana
1 in 6 people who start using the drug before 18 become addicted
-Adults: 1 in 10
There are approximately ______ known NTs
60
There are ____ known peptides which affect the brain similar to NTs
100
which NT is responsible for activation of the parasympathetic NS function (SLUDD)
norepinephrine
Which NT increases O2 gas to increase energy production and is the activation NT for the fight or flight response?
epinephrine
What is an excitatory Amino Acid Neurotransmitter?
glutamate
What is the ratio of Amino Acids to Monoamine transmissions in the human brain?
1000:1
Which class of Neurotransmitters are the most widely used but are viewed as non specific. This class would excite or inhibit.
amino acid
Which NT appears to initiate sleep?
norepinephrine
Which drug increases the effect of GABA in your brain?
alcohol
Which NT is a reaction to stress, fear, exercise, and in its synthetic form is used to fight anaphylaxis?
epinephrine
