Test 1 Study Guide Part 4 Flashcards
How do Monoamine neurotransmitters work?
Use norepinephrine as an example.
Norepinephrine (a catecholamine) binds a g-protein coupled receptor, and G-proteins split. The alpha subunit finds adenylyl cyclase and activates. It does not have to be adenylyl cyclase. Production of cAMP can activate other protein kinases, which can open channels.
Alternative name for serotonin:
5-hydroxytryptamine
Can dietary levels of tryptophan effect serotonin levels produced by neurons?
You bet your sweet bum it can!
What physiological functions are attributed to serotonin?
Mood, behavior, appetite, and cerebral circulation
How do LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin exert their effect?
By binding to and activating serotonin receptors for in the cerebral cortex (used to be used medicinally to induce hallucinations)
Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Luvox are all:
SSRIs (serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors)
What is the mechanism of action of SSRIs?
serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors reduce the production of serotonin transporter (SERT) proteins. Reduced number of SERTs in the presynaptic cell causes increased build up of Seratonin in the synapse.
Seratonin has a diverse number of effects because:
It has a diverse number of receptors.
Where are dopaminergic neurons located in the brain?
The mid brain
two different systems of dopaminergic neurons:
- Nigrostriatal dopamine system (involved in motor control)
- Mesolimbic dopamine system (reward and behavior related)
Nigrostriatial dopaminergic neurons got their name form what?
Located in the substantia nigra (dark substance, melanin) and send projections into the corpus striatum (striped corpus)
Both the substantia nigra and corpus striatum are a part of the basal nuclei, which resides deep in the cerebrum and are involved in initiating skeletal movement
Nigrostriatial dopamine system:
- Regulates:
- Disorder of this system:
Regulates motor movement (which makes sense as it is a part of the basal nuclei)
Disorder of this system: Parkinson’s disease. treatment of Parkinson’s often involves treatment with L-dopa and MAOIs to increase dopamine in the nigrostratial system
What is the cause of Parkinson’s disease?
A degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
Mesolimbic system got its name because:
It starts in the mid brain (meso) and travels to the limbic system.
What type of pathways do addictive drugs (alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana and morphine) activate?
Where do these pathways terminate in the forebrain?
Mesolymbic dopamine system
Forebrain
What is used to treat schizophrenia?
What does this suggest?
Dopamine antagonists.
That schizophrenia is caused by overactive dopaminergic nerves. (some people with Parkinson’s disease develop schizophrenia when treated with L-dopa)
Norepiniphrine in the PNS is (sympathetic or parasympathetic):
Norepiniphrine does what in the CNS?
Sympathetic
behavioral arousal
Amphetamines:
Elicit arousal, they activate the same pathways norepinephrine activates.
Excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters in the CNS? Name the most common one first:
Glutamate (major excitatory neurotransmitter of the brain)
Aspartate
Inhibitory neurotransmitters
GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) and glycine