Neurotransmitters and Neurochemistry – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
What are the criteria needed to be a NT?
answer
1. Present in presynaptic axon terminals 2. Synthesized by enzymes in neuron 3. Released in significant quantities when AP reaches terminal 4. Specific receptors on postsynaptic neuron recognize the substance 5. Postsynaptic cell can be changed by experimental application of substance 6. Blocking release of substance prevents synaptic activity from affecting postsynaptic cell
question
Amines
answer
Acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, melatonin
question
Dopaminergic Pathways (amine)
answer
(dopamine) Mesostriatal: motor control, affected by Parkinson's Disease Mesolimbic: reward reinforcement, addiction, affected by schizophrenia
question
Cholinergic Pathways (amine)
answer
(acetylcholine) learning and memory, affected by Alzheimer's disease nicotinic receptors --> muscle contraction
question
Serotonergic Pathways (amine)
answer
(serotonin) Sleep states, mood, sexual behavior, anxiety 5-HT receptors --> nausea
question
Noradrenergic Pathways (amine)
answer
(norepinephrine) mood, arousal, sexual behavior
question
Amino Acids
answer
GABA, glutamate, glycine, histamine
question
GABA
answer
inhibitory NT
question
Glutamate
answer
excitatory NT, most abundant
question
Neuropeptides
answer
opioid peptides, oxytocin, substance P, hypothalamic releasing hormones, etc. feeding, social/sexual behavior
question
Substance P
answer
pain sensation
question
Soluble Gases
answer
nitric oxide, carbon monoxide learning/memory, erection, hair growth
question
Pharmacological and Recreational Drugs
answer
1. Can be targeted to specific receptor subtypes 2. Diffuse widely (do not seek out receptor molecules) 3. Binding usually temporary
question
Competitive Ligands
answer
agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists same binding site
question
Agonists
answer
mimics effect of NT exogenous helpful for people who don't have enough NT
question
Antagonists
answer
bind and do not allow the NTs to flow through exogenous prevents normal action (binds and doesn't activate)
question
Inverse Agonist
answer
has the reverse effect of the NT exogenous
question
Noncompetitive Ligands
answer
activate receptor or prevent receptor from activation by NT neuromodulator
question
Affinity
answer
it will stay attached to the receptor site
question
Efficacy
answer
it will activate for longer (less drug needed to bind to a receptor)
question
How can the different stages of Neural conduction be affected?
answer
presynaptic events and postsynaptic events
question
Presynaptic Events
answer
transmitter production, transmitter release, transmitter clearance
question
Transmitter Production
answer
1. Block NT synthesis of enzymes 2. Block axonal transport 3. Interfere with storage of NT in vesicles
question
Transmitter Release
answer
1. Block Na+ channels (no Na coming through no AP) 2. Block Ca channels (need so vesicles can fuse and release NT) 3. Block release of specific NTs 4. Affect autoreceptor signals (release more or less)
question
Transmitter Clearance
answer
1. Block transporter proteins (prevents reuptake) 2. Inhibit degradation (leave more NT in the synapse)
question
Postsynaptic Events
answer
transmitter receptors, cellular processes
question
Transmitter Receptors
answer
1. Block receptors (antagonists) 2. Activate receptors (agonists)
question
Cellular Processes
answer
1. Activation of second messengers or genes 2. Production of proteins 3. Down-regulation/up-regulation of receptor density
question
Down-Regulation
answer
decreases the number of receptors available less opportunity for NT to bind --> more drug to make more NT to increase likelihood that the NT will bind
question
Up-Regulation
answer
increases the number of receptors available more opportunity for NT to bind --> if not enough NT present, you make more receptors to increase the likelihood that the NTs can bind (generally a good thing)
question
Nicotine
answer
receptors located in the ventral tegmentum and nucleus acumbens release dopamine nicotine has high affinity and efficacy for dopamine direct agonist
question
Meth
answer
affects dopamine transporters (reuptake) mimics dopamine --> taken back up into the transporter --> enters vesicles --> reverse transporters --> makes more dopamine in the synapse --> more dopamine affects postsynaptic neuron makes so much dopamine that you can't make anymore for awhile after that
question
THC
answer
cannabinoid receptors int he substantia nigra, hippocampus, cerebellar cortex anandamide is the endogenous NT --> causes GABA to come out --> inhibits next NT from coming out --> which then keeps releasing dopamine disinhibition agonist high dose --> impaired creativity low dose --> doesn't affect creativity
