Peptides, lipids, nucleosides, gases Flashcards

1
Q

Why are peptides, lipids, nucleosides, gases not NTs?

A

Do not satisfy ALL criteria for a Neurotransmitter

  • Present in presynaptic terminals
  • Released from presynaptic terminals after neuron fires
  • Existence of receptors on postsynaptic neurons
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are peptides, lipids, nucleosides, and gases?

A

Non-traditional NT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the structure of peptides? How is it synthesized?

What do peptides serve as (NT/NM)?

A
  • Consist of 2 or more amino acids (protein are much larger)
  • Not synthesized
    • Polypeptides broken down into peptides within neuron
  • Most peptides serve as modulators, however many peptides known to be hormones also act as neurotransmitters and are often co-release with other neurotransmitters
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the common NT of peptide?

A

Endogenous Opiods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are some examples of opiods?

A

Morephine, Heroin, Opium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How does heroin affect receptors?

A

They are Full agonists.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are other drugs alongside heroin, that acts on the same receptors?

A

Buprenorphine:

  • Partial Agnoist

Naloxone:

  • Full antagonist
  • Counter heroin

Methadone:

  • Full Agonist (SLOW release)(Like Heroin)
  • Helps dependent

B-N-M

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Is heroin neurotoxic?

A
  • Not neurotoxic (no brain damage)
  • Cause death by respiratory failure.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are opiate drugs known for?

A

Pain relief and euphoria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where in the brain has the highest density of opiate receptors?

A

In areas involved in pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are lipids? Function and synthesis pathways.

A

Lipids

  • Naturally occuring molecules - fats, waxs
  • Hydrophobic
  • Function: Energy storage, signaling

Synthesis

  • Unclear. But we know many serve as NT or modulators (modulate the modulators)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the best known lipid NT?

A

Endocannabinoids (endogenous cannibis-like substance)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the receptors for endocannabinoids? Where are they found and What do they do?

A
  • CB1 (brain)
    • Shorten duration of AP in presynaptic neurons
    • Decrease NT released
      • Modulating the modulator
  • CB2 (peripheral)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the active compound in marijuana?

A

THC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are effects of cannibis?

A

Changes in appetite, time perception, arousal (relaxation/anxiety), apathetic states, “underachievement”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is therapeutic uses of marijuana?

A

Reduce nausea, relieve asthma, decrease pressure within eyes

17
Q

What is nucleosides structure and synthesis?

A
  • Subnit of nucleic acid (Link to DNA/RNA)

Synthesis

  • Enzymatic breakdown of nucleic acids
  • Often “co-transmitters” that serve to modulate the release of other transmitters.. Again modulating the modulators - Similar to Lipids
18
Q

What do nucleosides do?

A

“Co-transmitter” that modulate release of other NT

(Similar to CB1 receptors/lipids, modulate modulators)

19
Q

What are Nucleoside NT?

A

Adenosine

20
Q

What is adenosine (excitation/inhibitory)? How are they formed?

A
  • Inhibitory NT
  • Forms from breakdown of ATP.
21
Q

When is adenosine high, which part of the day? What does it do? If adenosine is the primary NT, what happens?

A
  • Awake: Adenosine gradually rise throughout day
  • Normal Conditions: Promotes sleep and suppress arousalt
  • At synapses where adenosine is the primary NT, a high postsynaptic firing rate = reduced arousal = sleepiness
22
Q

How does caffeine work with adenosine?

A

Adenosine-receptor antagonist (block adenosine action)

  • Increase firing of adenosine = Sleepy
  • Reduce firing of adenosine = Caffeine
    • Alert
23
Q

What are two gases used as NT? What are they produced from?

A

Nitric (not nitrous) oxide and carbon monoxide

Note: They are NTs

NO

  • Produced from the amino acid Arginine in a subpopulation of 1-2% of neurons in cortex.
24
Q

What is nitric oxide function role in brain?

A

Unclear.

  • But we know it is involved in
    • (a) learning and memory through effects on synaptic plasticity
    • (b) dilates blood vessels in metabolically active region of brain
25
Q

4 difference between nitric oxide and traditional NTs? Additional Notes.

A

Nitric oxide:

  • NOT Synthesized and stored in vesicles
  • Does not activate receptors but enter neighbouring cell
  • Produces throughout cell and defuses after production
  • Short lived and degraded without seconds after production

It can act on several nearby neurons, even on those not connected by a synapse.

However, NO’s short half-life means that its action will be restricted to a limited area, without the necessity for enzymatic breakdown or cellular reuptake.