Neurotransmitters II Flashcards
What does a lack of norepinephrine in the CNS result in?
Lack of drive -> major cause for depression
Name one target of anti-depressive medication!
The norepinephrine system
When depression is treated with medication, what is restored when?
“Drive” is restored fast.
“Mood” is restored with a delay of 2 to 3 weeks.
(Sedation may be needed to prevent patient from committing suicide!)
Give two examples of by what norepinephrine is used as a neurotransmitter!
- Sympathetic division of the autonomous nervous system
- diffuse modulatory system in the brain
What is a Interneuron?
Interneurons connect neurons to other neurons in the same region of the brain or spinal chord.
What transmitters form the diffuse modulatory system, which is based on extensive axonal branching?
Acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Serotonin
What is an NMDA receptor?
An NMDA receptor is a specific type of ionotropic glutamate receptor.
Unique properties of NMDA receptors?
- temporal integration
- long term potentiation
- rhythmic firing
Three simple forms of learning!
Habituation
Sensitization
Classical Conditioning
Scientific name for the California sea slug?
Aplysia californica
What is the name for the reflex that Kandel and colleagues studied to understand better how procedural memory works?
The gill-withdrawal reflex!
What are the two receptors’ names for acetylcholine?
Nicotinic receptors (ionotropic) and muscarinic receptors (metabotropic)!
Name two agonists of acetylcholine and the receptor type they are binding to!
Nicotine (ionotropic)
Muscarine (metabotropic)
Name two antagonists for acetylcholine and the receptor types they are binding to!
Curare (Ionotropic)
Atropine (Metabotropic)
Which protein is used at metabotropic receptors?
G-protein
