neurotransmitters and psychopharmacology (e2) Flashcards
what is the role of calcium?
in response to AP, Ca2+ channels open in the axon terminal and Ca2+ ions enter trigger the proteins (SNAREs) that cause exocytosis
what is exocytosis?
presynaptic axon terminals contain vesicles that contain neurotransmitters; the vesicles fuse with the membrane and neurotransmitters are released in the synaptic cleft
what are the two types of receptors?
ionotropic and metabotropic
ionotropic effects are for…
vision and hearing
ionotropic effects
neurotransmitter binds to an ionotropic receptor and opens its channels
are effects of ionotropic receptors fast or slow?
fast, less than a millisecond
metabotropic effects are for…
pain, attention, and emotion
metabotropic effects
initiate metabolic reaction; a second messangers communicates to many areas within the cell
are effects of metabotropic receptors fast or slow?
slow, (30n ms+) but longer lasting (few seconds)
what does dopamine control?
voluntary movement, reward, motivation, cognitive control, and psychosis
what are dopaminergic drugs?
anti-psychotics, stimulants, recreational drugs
who has more dopamine?
girls
dopaminergic pathways in the brain
mesocortical - ventral tegmental area (VTA) to prefrontal cortex
mesolimbic - VTA to nucleus accumbens
nigrostriatal - substantia nigra to basal ganglia (striatum)
importance of mesocortical pathway
delayed gratification
importance of mesolimbic pathway
pathway studied for addiction
importance of nigrostriatal pathway
important for movement; when they start dying, we see the effects of parkinsons
what is the main synthesizer for norepinephrine?
locus coeruleus (close to the VTA and SN)
in the PNS, adrenal cortex
what is the function of norepinephrine?
energy, arousal, mood, fight or flight response
norepinephrine is positively correlated with…
dopamine
what is the main synthesizer for serotonin?
raphe nuclei; has numerous receptors
what does serotonin control?
sleep and wakefulness (it is the precursor to melatonin), mood
who has more serotonin?
boys
when is serotonin the highest?
when animals are awake
what drugs are used for serotonin?
SSRIs, TCAs, MAOI
what is glutamate?
the most important excitatory neurotransmitter; receptors are AMPA and NMDA
too little glutamate is correlated with…
psychosis
excitotoxicity
too much glutamate; sodium channels open
what is GABA?
inhibitory postsynaptic potentials; influx of chloride, channels open
what is acetylcholine?
nucleus basalis of Meynery, muscles, memory and attention (Alzheimer’s)
