Week 7 - Pharmacology Of The Synapse Flashcards
How do NT move from axon to synapse?
- synthesis and storage (synethesised by golgi apparatus, synaptic vesicles to presynapse)
2.receive AP (synaptic vesicles float) - depolarisation (Ca2+ open, flood into presynapse)
- release of NT into cleft (exocytosis)
- attachment and activation (complementary receptors)
- deactivation (reuptake, enzymatic breakdown)
What does depolarisation post-synapse lead to?
excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
What does hyperpolarisation post-synapse lead to?
inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
How do glutamatergic synapses work?
Excitatory
Depolarisation - EPSP - Lower threshold - More firing
How do GABAergic synapses
Inhibitory
Hyperpolarisation - IPSP - Increase threshold - Less firing
Examples of catecholamines
Dopamine
Adrenaline
Noradrenaline
Stages of catecholamine synthesis
Tyrosine
L-Dopa
Dopamine
Noradrenaline
Adrenaline
(PRE CURSORS : ONE CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT OTHER)
What is the purpose of the Nigrostriatal System?
Sensory, movement
What is the purpose of the Mesolimbic System?
Reinforcement
Reward and Emotions
What is the purpose of the Mesocortical System?
Cognition
Memory ST
Planning
Strategy
Are most serotenergic synapses IPSP or EPSP?
IPSP
Which enzyme allows the breakdown of monoamines?
Monoamine Oxidase: convert into inactive substances
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors prevent MAO action
Features of acetylcholine?
2 types of receptors - slower vs fast acting
Broken down by AchE (abundant in synaptic cleft)
Cholinergic synapses (excitatory)
Define Agonists
Speed up action of NT
eg. L-Dopa and Nicotine
Define Antagonists
Slow action of NT
(eg. Botox, Reserpine)
