Neurotransmitters and functions

Question 1

Epinephrine: which molecule does it increase

Answer 1

Increases cAMP

Question 2

How is epin made?

Answer 2

From norep with enzyme PMNT

Norep has to be released into cytosol out of vesicle, converted, then returned to vesicles

Question 3

effects of epinephrine

Answer 3

Bronchodilation
Stim. heart and CNS
FIGHT OR FLIGHT

Question 4

NE and E bind to adrenergic receptors, what are these?

Answer 4

alpha 1: smooth muscle CONTRACTION

alpha 2: PREsynaptic receptor causing NEG. FEEDBACK (inhibits neurotransm. release)

beta 1: Increase CO, renin, ghrelin (stomach)

beta 2: varied

beta 3: lipolysis in adipose tissue

Question 5

serotonin

Answer 5

raphe nuclei

Question 6

serotonin functions

Answer 6

mood, emotional behaviour, sleep
aggression
control of food intake
pain
cognition
thermoregulation
memory

Question 7

antidepressants and serotonin

Answer 7

increase serotonin levels in synapse:
MAO inhib
blocking SERT for reuptake into presynaptic cell

Question 8

psychedelics and serotonin

Answer 8

stim Serotonin 2A

hallucinations

Question 9

antiemetics and serotonin

Answer 9

INHIBITS serotonin 3 recep in gut

inhibits nausea and vomiting

Question 10

antimigraine drugs and serotonin

Answer 10

STIM Serotonin 1D

Question 11

Catecholamines

Answer 11

dopamine
norepinephrine
epinephrine

made from tyrosine (tyrosine hydroxylase is rate-limiting step)

Question 12

how are levels decreased (cats)

Answer 12

reuptake via Na-dependent channels

Question 13

chemical in between dopamine and tyrosine

Answer 13

L-dopa

Question 14

4 pathways involved with dopamine

Answer 14

1. Niagrostriatal-movement
2. Mesolimbic-starts in ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hippocampus of limbic system-MOTIVATION AND DESIRE
3. mesocortical-starts in ventral tegmental area and ends in frontal lobe cerebral cortex
4. Tuberinfundibular-arcuate nucleus (hypothal.) to post. pit

Question 15

Mesolimbic

Answer 15

Motivation and desire

disorders: ADHD, Addiction (reward path), schizo, depression

Question 16

Mesocortical

Answer 16

Motivation in cognition and sensation
Conscious emotion
Disorders: ADHD, Schizo

Question 17

Tuberinfundibular

Answer 17

regulation of prolactin release

Question 18

Cocaine and dopamine

Answer 18

blocks reuptake by transporter

Question 19

meth

Answer 19

reverses the action of the
transporter, which then actively pumps out more
dopamine

anything that messes with dopamine system is ADDICTIVE

Question 20

norepinephrine

Answer 20

release: lat tegmental area in pons, medulla
locus coeruleus: pons

to neocortex and cerebellum with previous things

Question 21

norepinephrine function

Answer 21

VIGILANCE/AROUSAL= MOMMY

Question 22

how is it made (norep)

Answer 22

transported from cytosol to vesicle (dopamine) via VMAT2

there dopamine can be converted into norep because enzyme only present in vesicles

Question 23

Norep and disease

Answer 23

Depression (partially)
• Apathy (lack of arousal)
– Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (partially)
• Reduced focus

Question 24

Norep and drugs

Answer 24

– Cocaine
– Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
– Amphetamines (Adderal / “Speed”)
– Methamphetamine (“Tik”, “Crystal Meth”)

Antidepressants
• Tricyclic Antidepressants (Desipramine)
• Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (Cymbalta)
• Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (Stattera)

Question 25

ACh

Answer 25

released from basal forebrain, motor neurons, neurons of ANS

projects to cerebral cortex and hippocampus

nicotinic and muscarinic receptors

Question 26

ACh function

Answer 26

arousal
wakefulness
learning
memory

Question 27

reversal potential for glutamate channels AMPA and NMDA

Answer 27

0mV

Question 28

which ionotropic glutamate receptor also involves Ca

Answer 28

NMDA

Question 29

why are NMDA receptors special?

Answer 29

NMDA receptors only open at
depolarized potentials due to
the Mg2+ block.
• Ie NMDA receptors only open
when the cell is already
depolarised
• NMDA receptors are
permeable to Ca2+
• Ca2+ can activate enzymes / 2nd
messengers
• Important for learning and
memory (Long Term
Potentiation)

Question 30

what enters the vesicles: glutamate or glutamine (in reuptake process)

Answer 30

glutamine

Question 31

which cells are involved in the reuptake of glutamate and release (conversion of glut to glutamine)

Answer 31

glial cell: astrocytes

Question 32

which neurotransmitter is associated with excitotoxicity during cerebral ischaemia

Answer 32

glutamate-excess activation of NMDA so Ca2 enters

Question 33

GABA

Answer 33

inhibitory
ionotropic receptors: Cl-
metabotropic: presynaptic vesicles, K efflux so hyperpolarisation

Target site for:
• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines
• Most General Anaesthetics

Question 34

how is GABA made

Answer 34

glutamate decarboxylase (carboxyl group from glutamate removed)