Week 1 - Introduction To Systems

Question 1

What is Systems Neuroscience?

Answer 1

Studies the function of neural circuits and systems
It is an umbrella term encompasses many areas of study concerned with how nerve cells behave when connected to form neural networks

Question 2

What are examples of amino acid neurotransmitters?

Answer 2

GABA
Glutamate
Glycine

Question 3

What are examples of amine neurotransmitters?

Answer 3

Acetylcholine 
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Histamine 
Norepinephrine
Serotonin

Question 4

What are examples of peptide neurotransmitters?

Answer 4

Cholecystokinin
Dynorphin
Enkephalins
N-Acetylaspartylglutamate
Neuropeptide Y
Somatostatin
Substance P
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone 
Vasoactive intestinal peptide

Question 5

What are neurotransmitters involved in?

Answer 5

Every neuronal system
E.g. motor system [Parkinson]
Failure/degeneration of dopaminergic neurons
5-HT serotonin

Question 6

What are the differences between classical neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, neurotrophic factors depend on?

Answer 6

The duration of action of neurotransmitters e.g.
GABA (inhibitory)
Glutamate (excitatory)
ACH

Question 7

Adrenaline

Answer 7

Fight or flight neurotransmitter

Question 8

Noradrenaline

Answer 8

Concentration neurotransmitter

Question 9

Dopamine

Answer 9

Pleasure neurotransmitter

Question 10

Serotonin

Answer 10

Mood neurotransmitter

Question 11

GABA

Answer 11

Calming neurotransmitter

Question 12

Acetylcholine

Answer 12

Learning neurotransmitter

Question 13

Glutamate

Answer 13

Memory neurotransmitter

Question 14

Endorphins

Answer 14

Euphoria neurotransmitter

Question 15

What is Neuromuscular junction?

Answer 15

1. Multi-vesicular release

2. Acetylcholine (excitatory)

Question 16

What is central synapse?

Answer 16

1. Single release zones

2. Glutamate (excitatory)

Question 17

What is inhibitory neurotransmission?

Answer 17

1. GABA (in the brain)

2. Glycine (in the spinal cord)

Question 18

What are ligand-gated?

Answer 18

G protein coupled/metabotropic receptors

Question 19

What do Metabotropic receptors activate?

Answer 19

Secondary messengers

Question 20

What is the general structure of ionotropic receptors?

Answer 20

A relatively large multi-subunit compels
Composed of 4-5 individual proteins
Combine to form an ion channel through membrane

Question 21

What is the mechanism of ionotropic receptors?

Answer 21

In the absence of neurotransmitters, ion channel exists in a closed state (impermeable to ions)
Binding of a neurotransmitter molecule induced rapid conformation change allowing molecules to flow down their electrochemical gradients
The ion flow ceases when the neurotransmitter dissociates from the receptor
Or the receptor becomes desensitised

Question 22

What is the general structure of metabotropic receptors?

Answer 22

A single polypeptide, although domestic form exists

Question 23

What is the mechanism of metabotropic receptors?

Answer 23

Exerts it’s effect not directly by opening an ion channel but through binding to and activating GTP-binding proteins

Question 24

Transmitters that bind to GPCR typically produce what type of response?

Answer 24

Slower onset

Longer duration

Question 25

What is the cell bodied of the Cholinergic system?

Answer 25

``` Nucleus of Meynert (projects to the cortex) Medial septum (projects to hippocampus) ```

Question 26

What is the nucleus of Meynert and medial septum vital for?

Answer 26

Normal cognition and memory

Question 27

What do cell bodies in brain system (Cholinergic system) project to?

Answer 27

Diencephalon | Basal Ganglia

Question 28

What are diencephalon and Basal Ganglia important for?

Answer 28

sleep and arousal

Question 29

What is the Cholinergic system referred to as?

Answer 29

Learning system

Question 30

What are the receptors for the Cholinergic system?

Answer 30

Nicotine (nicotinic receptors) | Muscarine (Muscarinic receptors)

Question 31

What are the cell bodies of Dopaminergic system?

Answer 31

Substantia Nigra Ventral tegmental area Midbrain

Question 32

What do dopamine neurons in the substantia Nigra give rise to?

Answer 32

Nigrostriatal pathway (important for motor control)

Question 33

What do dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area give rise to?

Answer 33

Mesocorticolimbic pathway | Reward, reinforcement and appetitive behaviour

Question 34

What are the receptors of the Dopaminergic system?

Answer 34

Metabotropic receptors | All are G-coupled receptors

Question 35

What can dopamine have?

Answer 35

Excitatory or inhibitory effect depending on which receptors it binds to

Question 36

What does dopamine binding to one of its 5 receptors activate?

Answer 36

G-protein

Question 37

What is D1-like receptors?

Answer 37

D1 and D5 | Stimulate the activity of adenylyl cyclase

Question 38

What is D2-like receptors?

Answer 38

D2, D3 and D4 | Inhibit the activity of adenylyl cyclase

Question 39

What is the cell bodies of Noradrenaline system?

Answer 39

Locus coeruleus | About 12,000 neurons per hemisphere

Question 40

What are the projections for Noradrenaline system?

Answer 40

Diffuse to the entire cortical mantle, diencephalon and cerebellum

Question 41

Each NA neuron can make up to how many synapses?

Answer 41

250,000

Question 42

What are the receptors for Noradrenaline system?

Answer 42

Metabotropic receptors

Question 43

What is the function of Noradrenaline system receptors?

Answer 43

Regulate central role in autonomic function

Question 44

In the periphery, what does adrenaline do?

Answer 44

Increase heart rate Construct blood vessels Relaxes airways

Question 45

What are all the postsynaptic noradrenergic receptors?

Answer 45

Excitatory (B1, B2, B3 and A1)

Question 46

What is the presynaptic alpha 2 autoreceptor?

Answer 46

Inhibitory

Question 47

What are the cell bodies for serotonin (5-HT) system?

Answer 47

Midline raphe nuclei throughout the brainstem

Question 48

Where does the caudal raphe nuclei project to?

Answer 48

Spinal cord | Important for the modulation of afferents pain signals

Question 49

Where does the raphe nuclei project to?

Answer 49

Everywhere else

Question 50

What are the receptors for the serotonin system?

Answer 50

5-HT1E-F and 5-HT2A-C (post-synaptic metabotropic receptors) 5-HT1A,B and D (presynaptic Metabotropic receptors) 5-HT3 (postsynaptic ionotropic receptors)