Psychobiology & Psychopharmocology Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are the functions of the brain ?
- maintenance of homeostasis
- regulation of ANS and hormones
- PNS (relaxation) and SNS (fight or flight)
- control of biological drives and behavior
- conscious mental activity
- memory
- social skills
What do neurons do ?
- respond to stimuli
- conduct electrical impulses
- release chemicals (neurotransmitters)
What does the core of the brainstem do ?
regulates internal organs and vital functions
What does the hypothalamus do ?
basic drives and link between thoughts and emotion and function of internal organs
What does the brainstem do ?
processing center for sensory information
What does the cerebellum do ?
- regulates skeletal muscle
- maintain equilibrium (balance)
What does the cerebrum do ?
- mental activities
- conscious sense of being
- emotional status
- memory
- control of skeletal muscles (movement)
- language and communication
What are some structured imaging techniques ?
lets you see the shape/anatomical structure
- computed tomography (CT)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
What are some functional imaging techniques ?
lets you see the problems in function
- positron emission tomography (PET)
- single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
What is the purpose of norepinephrine ?
- stress hormone (fight or flight)
- attention/arousal
What is the purpose of serotonin ?
- regulates mood, sleep, appetite and temperature
- pain perception
- GI functioning
(low levels can cause drowsiness and depression)
What is the purpose of dopamine ?
- reward/pleasure
- perceptions/imagination
- addictions
- emotions, decision making, muscle movement
(too little= muscle rigidity, too much=hallucinations/altered perceptions)
What is the purpose of glutamate ?
- excitatory/accelerator of brain
- learning, memory, and restlessness
What is the purpose of GABA ?
- calming and produces muscle relaxation
- “brake” of the brain
- decrease neuron activity
- reduces aggression
(too little=anxiety disorders)
What is the purpose of neuropeptide ?
helps communication between neurons/receptors
What is the purpose of acetylcholine ?
- stimulates PNS
- regulates mood and aggression
- muscle strength, pain response, endocrine, and sleep functions
How do Benzo’s work ?
keep the channel open
- results in hyperpolarization of neurons
How do Anti-Depressants work ?
prevents reuptake, increasing the amount of neurotransmitter in synaptic gap
How does cholinesterase inhibitors work ?
destroy neurotransmitter in gap
- show efficacy in slowing rate of memory loss and improving memory
How do mood stabilizers work ?
work on the electrical activity of neurons, slowing the charge
- some block neuron transmission
What neurotransmitter is affected by anti-anxiety and hypnotic meds ?
GABA
What neurotransmitters are affected by anti-depressant meds ?
norepinephrine and serotonin
What neurotransmitter is affected by cholinesterase inhibitors ?
acetylcholine
What neurotransmitter is affected by mood stabilizers ?
glutamate
