Synaptic transmission

Question 1

Synaptic cleft width?

Answer 1

20-30 x 10.9 microns wide

Question 2

5 fundamental processes of synaptic transmission?

Answer 2

manufacture
storage
release
interaction with post-synaptic receptors
inactivation

Question 3

Common NETs?
fast?
neuromodulators?

Answer 3

fast (short-lasting effects) - acetylcholine, glutamate, Gamma-amino butyuric acid
neuromodulators - dopamine, noradrenalin, serotonin

Question 4

Pre-synaptic modulation
-endorphin?
release what?

Answer 4

endorphin = term for peptides with opiate-like effects
both endorphins and opiates release inhibitory substance P –>released by pain receptors
(runners high = pain relief by endorphins)

Question 5

Acetylcholine
what is it?
found where?
affected by?

Answer 5

transmitter at neuromuscular junction
used widely in brain and spinal cord
affected  by:
cigarettes- nicotine agonist
posion arrow -curare antagonist
spider toxins
nerve gas

Question 6

Noradrenaline
transmitter where?
affected by?

Answer 6

in PNS and CNS (diverging architecture in brain)
affected by:
antidepressant drug- (imipramine - blocks repuptake)
(MAO receptors - blocks breakdown)
stimulants (amphetamine - increases reuptake and blocks breakdown)

Question 7

Dopamine
transmitter where?
affected by?

side effects of L-dopa?
and dopamine blockers?

Answer 7

transmitter in basal ganglia
affected by:
antipsychotic drugs (chlorpromazine - receptor blocker)
stimulants (amphetamine/ cocaine - increase release and block reuptake)
anti-parkinsons drugs (l-dopa - increase manufacture)
(L-Dopa = increases dopamine so helps parksinsons)

L-dopa = causes psychosis at high doses
blockers = causes parkinsonisms at high doses

Question 8

Serotonin
transmitter where?
affected by?

Answer 8

diverging projections in brain- innervating many structures
affected by:
antidepressant drugs (Prozac- reuptake inhibition SSRIs)
hallucinogens (LSD - 5HT receptor agonsit)
Ecstasy (MDMA - neurotoxic)

Question 9

Gamma butyuric acid (GABA)
what is it?
affected by?

Answer 9

main inhibitory transmitter
affected by:
antianxiety drugs (inhibitory effect at receptors eg. Valium)
anticonvulsant drugs (benzodiazepines)
anasthetics (barbiturates - potentiate effects)

Question 10

Problems for drug design?

Answer 10

many areas use many of the same nets = hard to specifically target