Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulator Flashcards
Ionotropic
These receptors are ion channels. Muti-unit channels that form a poor
- Neurotransmitter binds
- Channel opens
- Ion flows acrosse membrane
RAPID ACTING MECHANISM (either depolarization/repolarize)
Example: Ligand gates ion channels
Metabotropic
Require secon messenger pathway
“SLOW ACTING”
(phosphorylate/dephosphorylate channel)
- Neurotransmitter binds
- G-proteins is activated
- G-proteins subunits or intracellular messengers modulae ion channels
- Ion channels flow
- Ions flow across membrane
Where are neurotransmitters found?
Synthesized in the neuron and present in the presynaptic terminal, and its release exerts a defined action on the post synaptic cell
When a neurotransmitter is administered exogenously, it mimics what?
Mimics the action of the endogenous chemical
(same effect in the lab as in the body)
What are the different processes that can occur to remove neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft?
Reuptake
degradation
diffusion
What are the diffeent type of neurotransmitters?
Small molecule transmitters
Neuropeptides
Steroid Hormones as Neuromodulators
What are the different type of Small molecule neurotransmitters?
•Amino acid neurotransmitters:
glutamate
GABA
glycine
•Brain stem neurotransmitters:
acetylcholine
biogenic amines (brain stem monoamines)
catecholamines: dopamine, norepinephrine
Indoleamines: seratonin
What are the different types of Neuropeptides?
Opiods
tachykinins
gastrins
What is Glutamate?
it is a amino acid transmitter
Predominant excitatory NT in the the CNS (ALWAYS)
Has a widespread distribution of neurons and receptors (Pyramidal cells of the cerebral cortex)
Released at about 90% of CNS synapses
How is Glutamate removed from the synaptic cleft?
Via diffusion (since it is a very small molecule)
and
glial uptake
Glutamate is involved in what pathway of the body?
Involved in synaptic plasticity
Long term potentiation, long term depression
What two medical conditions involve Glutamate?
Seizures (neurons firing out of control) and epilepsy.
Excitotoxity
Glutamate - Ionotropic Receptors
•NMDA RECEPTORS (big player in cytotoxity)
Binding site for glutamate, NMDA, and glycine
Permeabel to Cations (Na+, Ca2+, K+) , rapid depolarization
Blocked by Mg2+ at resting membrane potential (so initial depolarization stimulus is required to get ion out. Glutamate has to first act at one of the other two receptors to start depolarization)
- AMPA RECEPTORS
- KAINATE RECEPTORS
Glutamate - Metabotropic Receptor
• Metabotropic glutamate receptors may be on the presynaptic neuron (autoregulation, self binding after release of glutamate), on the post-synaptic neuron, or on glia cells.
What is GABA?
It is a amino acid transmitter
Glutamate -> “Gamma-aminobutyric acid” (loss of carboxygroup)
(enzyme = Glutamic acid decarboxylase)
•Predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS
Caused chlorine influx
•Widespread distribution of neurons and receptors
Lots of interneurons are GABA
How is GABA removed from the synaptic clet?
Via Diffusion
What are the Pharmocological drugs that utilize GABA?
Benzodiazepines - antianxiety (Valium and Xanax)
anti-anxiety
Barbiturates
anesthesia
(makes it harder for neurons to fire because they are hyperpolarized)
“Highly Adictive”
GABA Ionotropic Receptor
GABAA Receptors
- Binding sites for GABA, benzodiazepines, barbiturates.
- Permeable to chloride ions, hyperpolarization
Cause hyperlorization and make it more diffictul to have a AP
GABA Metabotropic Receptor
GABAB Receptor
(have to subunits that work together - allosteric modulation. B1 binds GABA and then activate B2, which is the G protein couple part that will hyperpolarize the neuron)
- Dimerization, “allosteric modulation”.
- Actions through G-protein mechanisms
- Increased K+ conduction, hyperpolarization
What is acetycholine?
It is a brainstem neurotransmitter
(Produced in the Pedunculopontine nucleus and Nucleus basalis)
• Implicated as playing a role in cognition and learning.
Acts through nicotinic (ionotropic, excitatory/neuromuscular junction)
or
muscarinic (metabotropic; excitatory or inhibitory/Second messenger pathways) cholinergicreceptors.
• Synthesized by choline and a actetly group with the help of choline acetyltransferase. Choline is not biosynthesized and must be obtained through the diet.