Role of Neurotransmitters and Parkinson's Disease Flashcards
What is a neurotransmitter?
Chemical messages that transport info from one neuron to the next
What is the place called where the neurons communicate with each other
synapse
What is reuptake?
Process where the neurotransmitter does not bind with a receptor and then is absorbed back into the terminal buttons
what is a synapse?
A place where two neurons communicate
what is the presynaptic neuron
neuron that releases the neurotransmitters
What is the postsynaptic neuron?
neuron that receives the neurotransmitters
A neurotransmitter acts as a?
key
A receptor site acts like a?
lock
What is the lock and key process?
process where the neurotransmitter acts like a key and has to specifically bind to a receptor site that acts like a lock
What happens when a neurotransmitter does not bind with a receptor?
reuptake
What is the role of an inhibitory neurotransmitter
can block prevent the post synaptic neuron firing
What is the role of a excitatory neurotransmitter?
to stimulate or activate the firing action of the presynaptic neuron
- increase the amount of firing
What is the main excitatory neurotransmitter and its role
glutamate
- enhances the transmission and makes the postsynaptic neuron more likely to fire
What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter and it’s role?
GABA
- prevents the firing of the neurotransmitter in the postsynaptic neuron
What is parkinsons disease?
neurodegenerative disorder in the CNS that is characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms
What are the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
stiff muscles
tremors
slow voluntary movement
- only occurs after certain loss of neurons
What are the non-motor symptoms of parkinson’s disease?
depression
dementia
pain
reduced facial expression
What is the substania nigra?
located in the midbrain
- responsible for the voluntary control of muscle movements
What neurotransmitter does the substania nigra produce?
dopamine
What is the role of dopamine?
produced by the substania nigra and helps execute flawless voluntary movements
What happens when the substania nigra is damaged?
causes the amount of dopamine to reduce as the neurons die off
When do we start to experience the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
after we lose 60% of neurons in the substania nigra
What are the causes of Parkison’s disease?
genetics
age
drugs
vitamin b deficiency
What are the two types of medications for Parkinson’s disease
one that can mimic the role of dopamine
one that can be converted into dopamine with the help of the neurons
