Transcript Neurotransmitters PPT

Neurotransmitters


Neurotransmitters sit in the terminal branch while
waiting for Action Potential
Once Action Potential occurs, the vesicles open and
release neurotransmitters into the synapse.
Acetylcholine (ACh)

Response for muscle contraction, learning & memory
 Too

much leads to severe muscle spasms & paralysis
Black Widow spider venom
 Depletion
of ACh leads to deterioration
of memory, reasoning, language
 Alzheimer’s Disease
Dopamine
 Involved
in pleasurable & rewarding sensations
 Excessive
dopamine receptor activity is linked to
schizophrenia
 Loss
of dopamine leads to Parkinson’s disease
 difficulty starting & stopping voluntary
movements
 tremors at rest, stooped posture, rigidity, poor
balance
Serotonin
 Sleep,
moods, and
emotional states
 Too much: headache or
confused.
 Undersupply leads to
depression
 Prozac works by keeping
serotonin in the synapse
longer
Norepinephrine
 Helps
control alertness and arousal
 “Fight
or flight” response
When
the body gears up to face a
danger or threat (adrenaline is released
by adrenal glands…tops of kidneys)
 Too
much: anxiety or panic attack
 Undersupply can cause depressed
mood
Endorphins
 Controls
pain and pleasure
 Released in response to
stress and trauma
 Reduces the perception of
pain
 Acupuncture, Runner’s High
 Morphine, Heroin, Codeine
 Alleviates pain & creates a
sense of euphoria
GABA

Used as an inhibitory
neurotransmitter, blocks nerve
impulses

Without it, nerve cells would fire too
often

Anti-anxiety medications
 Valium/Xanax

Undersupply can produce
seizures, tremors & insomnia,
possibly Parkinson’s syndrome

Loss of GABA
Huntington’s disease
 Jerky involuntary movements
 Mental deterioration

Glutamate
 Excitatory
neurotransmitter
 Amino acid that helps
neurons communicate,
learn, make memories
 Oversupply produces
migraines and seizures,
eventually kills neurons
 Undersupply are suspected
to lead to depression
 Caffeine inhibits the release
of GABA, so too much
coffee is the sensation of
glutamate without enough
GABA

4. Sarah is feeling sad all the time and seeks the help of a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist
concludes that Sarah is suffering from clinical depression due to a lack of
____________________ in her brain. To help her cope with the symptoms, she is prescribed
Prozac.

a. endorphins
d. serotonin

b. glutamate
c. dopamine


5. Tony has just completed a full marathon (26.2 miles). His muscles are throbbing and he is
exhausted, but he has an overwhelming feeling of euphoria. Tony is feeling the release of
__________________ in his brain.


GABA
a. acetylcholine
d. endorphins
b. dopamine
c.


6. Schizophrenia has been associated with having an excessive amount of ________________
in your brain.


a. serotonin
norepinephrine
b. dopamine
d. endorphins
c.