PH3113 - Neuropharmacology Flashcards
What does the average male brain weigh?
1.6kg
What does the average female brain weigh?
1.4kg
How many neurones are in the brain?
10^12 billion
1000 billion
How many synapses does each neurone in the brain form?
200,000
What are the 4 different types of building blocks of the nervous system?
Neurones - predominant cell types which transmit signals Oligodendrocytes - produce myelin - facilitate transmission Astrocytes - enable homeostasis - physical barrier - forms Blood-Brain Barrier Microglia - immune cells of the brain - phagocytose dead cells and debris - no antibodies in brain
What is the Blood-Brain Barrier?
Endothelial cells line the capillary walls with tight junctions between them
Processes from astrocytes form a barrier around blood vessels
Prevents large molecules entering the blood stream
Specific transporters allow certain molecules to access the brain
The Blood-Brain Barrier is not complete in some areas
Network of capillary vessels that form a structural and chemical barrier between the brain and systemic circulation
Barrier to peripheral biochemical abnormalities and xenobiotics
- including neuroactive pharmaceuticals
What is the structure of the brainstem?
Medulla oblongata
Pons
Midbrain
Where is the thalamus in the brain?
Sits on top of the midbrain
Where is the thalamus in the brain?
Sits on top of the midbrain
Where is the hypothalamus in the brain?
Sits underneath the thalamus
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Co-ordinates information from the top of the brain, nuclei from centre of brain and sends information down spinal cord and back up
- integrating centre
- homeostasis
Where is the hippocampus in the brain?
Where is the hippocampus in the brain?
What is the function of the hippocampus?
Memory
- affected in Alzheimer’s disease
Where is the cerebellum in the brain?
Mid-back of head behind spinal cord
What is the function of the cerebellum?
Balance and coordination
