new neurotransmission

Question 1

neurotransmission

Answer 1

Neurotransmission is the process of neurochemical messaging in the brain in response to external and internal stimuli

Message passed from pre-synaptic neuron —> post synaptic neuron

Question 2

process of neurotransmission

Answer 2

• action potential is started —> message travels down axon, stimulating the release of chemicals (neurotransmitters) from axon terminals across synaptic cleft into post-synaptic neuron
• electrical impulse triggers movement of vesicles containing neurotransmitters to move to the membrane (exocytosis)
• Dendrites on post synaptic cleft have receptor sites (proteins), absorbing chemicals, which then stimulate an action potential in post synaptic neuron
• Neurotransmitters are then released from receptors. Some are re-uptaken back into the pre-s neuron through transporter proteins. Some are degraded by enzymes
• process continues down the neural network

Electrical message ends when impulse is not strong enough to create another action potential in a post-synaptic neuron

Question 3

Different neurotransmitters

Answer 3

Different neurotransmitters are involved in different behaviours, but are only one factor in creating such behaviour

Question 4

Acetylcholine

Answer 4

consolidation of memory in hippocampus

Question 5

Antonova aim

Answer 5

etermine the role of acetylcholine in the formation of spatial memory

Question 6

A IV

Answer 6

injection of scopolamine

Question 7

A DV

Answer 7

observable activity in the hippocampus

Question 8

A P

Answer 8

20 healthy male adults, with a mean age of 28 years old.

Question 9

A method

Answer 9

• double-blind procedure and participants
• randomly allocation
• repeated measures design

Question 10

A procedure

Answer 10

1. Participants were trained in the “Arena task” to ensure comfort and that rules were understood
2. Participants were randomly allocated to one of the conditions - either being injected with either Scopolamine or a placebo 70 - 90 minutes before the experimental task.
3. Participants underwent an fMRI scan while they were playing the “Arena task”
   
   • complex virtual reality game (navigating around an arena to reach a pole)
4. After the participants reached the pole, the screen would go blank for 30 seconds and participants were asked to rehearse how to get too the pole
5. After 30 seconds, participants began in a new starting position and get back to the pole
6. Activity measured for 6 trials
7. Participants returned 3-4 weeks after initial experiment and exposed to other condition

Question 11

A results

Answer 11

When participants were injected with scopolamine, there was a significant reduction in the activation of the hippocampus compared to when they received a placebo.

Question 12

A conclusion

Answer 12

Due to the difference in hippocampal activity, it can be concluded that acetylcholine could play a key role in the encoding of spatial memories in humans.