Week 7 Neurology Flashcards
What does the speed of propagation along a membrane depend on?
fibre diameter and myelination
The larger the fibre diameter …
the fast the action potential propagates, since larger diameter = less resistance to local current
Why does myelination increase propagation speeds?
There is less “leakage” of charge across the myelin meaning a local current can spread farther along an axon.
Also, the concentration of Na+ channels in the myelinated region of the axon is low. Therefore, action potentials only occur at the nodes of Ranvier, where myelin coating is interrupted and the concentration of voltage gated Na+ channels is higher.
What is the name for when action potentials jump between nodes of Ranvier?
saltatory conduction
What is the most common disease of the nervous system among young adults?
Multiple sclerosis
What is MS?
Degeneration of myelin and development of scar tissue which in turn disrupts and eventually blocks neurotransmission along myelinated axons
Symptoms of MS
Uncontrolled eye movements/double vision Slurred speech Partial/complete paralysis Tremor Loss of co-ordination Weakness Sensory numbness, prickling, pain
Excitatory vs inhibitory synapse
The membrane potential of a post synaptic neurone is brought closer to threshold (Depolarised) at an excitatory synapse.
The membrane potential of a post synaptic neurone is either driven further from the threshold (hyper polarised) or stabilised at its resting potential at an inhibitory synapse.
2 types of synapse
Electrical
Chemical
Electrical synapse
The plasma membranes of the presynaptic and post synaptic cells are joined by GAP JUNCTIONS which allow local currents resulting in arriving APs to flow directly across the junction through connecting channels
Communication between nerve cells w electrical synapse SPEED
rapid
Chemical synapse
The plasma membranes of pre and post synaptic neurones are joined by the SYNAPTIC CLEFT
The synaptic cleft prevents direct propagation of the current from the presynaptic neurone. Instead, signals are transmitted across be means of NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Communication between nerve cells w electrical synapse SPEED
rapid
What do electrical synapses allow for?
synchronised transmission
Where are electrical synapses found
Brainstem neurones e.g. breathing and hypothalamus (hormone secretion)
What cells cover chemical synapses?
astrocytes (glial cells)
essential for the reuptake of excess neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitter release
Calcium ion channels open when an AP reaches presynaptic neurone.
Ca2+ ions cause vesicles containing neurotransmitters to move to release sites and fuse with presynaptic cell membrane and discharge their contents. Neurotransmitter diffuses across synaptic clef t and attaches to receptor sites.
5 processes of synaptic transmission
- Manufacture (intracellular biochemical process)
- Storage (vesicles)
- Release - AP
- Interact with post-synaptic receptors
- Inactivation
Where is ACh used?
In the brain and NMJs
2 main acetylcholine receptors
muscarinic
nicotinic
What happens once acetylcholine has been bound to the post-synaptic receptor?
acetylcholine esterase breaks it down into choline and acetyl
The choline can then be reabsorbed by the pre-synaptic neurone to be used to make more acetylcholine.
What can post synaptic neurone neurotransmitter receptors take the form of?
transmitter-gated ion channels
When NTs bind to the receptors/channels, it results in DEPOLARISATION or HYPERPOLARISATION depending on the channel type …
Depolarisation will occur in the excitatory channels and cause an excitatory post-synaptic potential EPSP where many Na+ leave and few K+ enter
Hyperpolarisation will occur in inhibitory channels (inhibitory post-synaptic potential IPSP) many K+ leave OR many Cl- enter
The combined effects of many excitatory synapses (since one event by itself is not enough to reach threshold) can be achieved by 2 means …
- TEMPORAL summation : input signals arrive from
The combined effects of many excitatory synapses (since one event by itself is not enough to reach threshold) can be achieved by 2 means …
- TEMPORAL summation : input signals arrive from the same presynaptic cell at different TIMES and summate since there are a greater number of open ion channels and thus a greater flow of positive ions into the cell.
- SPATIAL summation where 2 inputs occur at different locations in the PSN
Unbound neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft when …
- They are actively transported back into the presynaptic axon terminal (REUPTAKE) or by nearby glial cells
- They diffuse away from receptor site
- Are enzymatically transformed into inactive substances, some are transported back into the presynaptic neurone for REUSE
Fast neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine - ACh
Glutamate
GABA
What are neuromodulators?
Can cause change in synaptic membrane that last for longer time
What are neuromodulators associated with?
Slower events - learning, development, motivational states etc.
Neuromodulator examples
Dopamine
Noradrenalin
Norepenephrin
Serotonin
What are the most common local anaesthetics?
procaine
lignocaine
How do local anaesthetic work?
They interrupt axonal neurotransmission by blocking sodium channels thereby preventing the neurones from depolarising meaning that the threshold isn’t met and thus no action potential is developed to be propagated. This results in pain relief since pain isn’t transmitted.
How come local anaesthetics can work on muscles?
They can easily diffuse through mucus membranes thus can sometimes act on muscles too
What is the major neurotransmitter of the PNS at the neuromuscular junction ?
ACh (Also used in brain and spinal cord)
Neurones that release ACh are known as …
cholinergic neurons
ACh is synthesised from …
choline
acetyl coenzyme A in the cytoplasm of synaptic terminals and stored in synaptic vesicles
2 general types of ACh receptors
Nicotinic receptors (respond to nicotine as well)
Muscarinic receptors
Where are nicotinic receptors found?
In the neuromuscular junction
In the brain
Why are nicotinic receptors in the brain important?
They are important in cognitive functions and behaviour (attention, learning and memory - reinforces the ability to detect and respond to meaningful stimuli)
Why is tobacco so addictive?
There is presence of nicotinic receptors in reward pathways
Other than ACh, what do muscarinic receptors respond to?
mushroom poision muscarine
How do muscarinic receptors work?
They couple with G proteins, which in turn then alter the activity of a number of different enzymes and ion channels
Where are muscarinic receptors present?
brain and at junctions where a major division of the PNS innervates peripheral glands and organs, e.g. salivary glands and the heart and the lungs (bronchoconstriction)
Cigarettes contain nicotine with are agonists - what does this mean?
able to interact and open receptor
What inhibits the action of acetylcholinesterase? What does this cause?
Sarin
Build up of ACh in the synaptic cleft, resulting in an overstimulation of post synaptic ACh receptors, initially causing uncontrolled muscle contractions but eventually leading to receptor desensitisation and paralysis.
What neurotransmitter is found in the peripheral heart and CNS?
Noradrenaline
What is noradrenaline affected by?
Antidepressant drugs
- Imipramine
- Monamine oxidase
Stimulants
- Amphetamine
How does imipramine (AD drug) affect noradrenaline?
Blocks the reuptake of noradrenaline
How does monoamine oxidase (AD drug) affect noradrenaline?
inhibitor - increases the amount of noradrenaline by inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase which is the enzyme used to break down noradrenaline
How does amphetamine affect noradrenaline?
increases release
blocks reuptake
What is an important transmitter in basal ganglia?
Dopamine
What is dopamine affected by?
Antipsychotic drugs (chlorpromazine)
Stimulants (amphetamine/cocaine)
Anti-parkinsons drug L-DOPA
How does chlorpromazine affect dopamine?
antagonist - blocks receptor so other neurotransmitter cannot activate receptor
How do stimulants affect dopamine?
Increase release
block reuptake
How does L-DOPA affect dopamine?
Increases dopamine manufacture
What effect does serotonin have?
An excitatory effect on pathways that mediate sensations
What is serotonin affected by?
Antidepressant drug - Prozac
Ecstasy
How does prozac affect serotonin?
SSRI - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor resulting in an increase in the concentration of synaptic serotonin