Lecture 4

A chemical released by the presynaptic terminal button in response to an action potential -briefly binds to a specialized protein called a receptor that is located on the postsynaptic membrane -like a key fitting a lock

-its synthesis is within a neuron -it is released in response to a neuronal depolarization -it binds to a postsynaptic receptor

-acetylcholine -dopamine -norepinephrine -epinephrine -serotonin -glutamate -GABA -endocannibinoid -endogenous opioid

-type of receptor that, when stimulated, immediately opens an ion channel - is associated with a ligand-activated ion channel

-type of receptor that, when stimulated, does not immediately open an ion channel -associated with signal proteins and G proteins

-the drawing back, in the the presynaptic button, neurotransmitter molecules after their release into the synapse -the more common of the two mechanisms for deactivating released neurotransmitters

-the breakdown of neurotransmitters by enzymes -the less common of the two mechanisms for deactivating released neurotransmitters

-the most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain -one of the amino acid neurotransmitters that is common in the proteins we consume -overstimulation by this neurotransmitter can be toxic, causing cell death

-most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter int he brain -synthesized by a simple modification of the structure of glutamate -alcohol acts primarily as an agonist of in the brain so that at moderate doses it causes cognitive, perceptual, verbal, and motor impairments- even though at low doses it can facilitate social interaction -an excessive decrease in this can result in convulsions and possibly death -agonists of this are used to treat seizures and other disorders like anxiety and insomnia

-neurotransmitter that naturally converts into norepinephrine -has been implicated in the pathology of both parkinsons disease and schizophrenia -plays an important role in the control of motor movement and in motivational aspects of drug use

-neurotransmitter that naturally converts directly into epinephrine -also known as noradrenaline -dysfunction of this neurotransmitter system is associated with attention deficit disorder -plays an important role in maintaining vigilance and arousal

-neurotransmitter that is naturally converted directly from norepinephrine -also known as adrenaline -used by the autonomic nervous system to produce a series of changes in the body called the ‘fight-or-flight response”, such as increased heart rate

-neurotransmitter is also known a 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT -plays an important role in the sleep-wake cycle and mood -antidepressants (like tricyclics and SSRIs) act primarily as agonists of in the brain to produce antidepressant effects

-neurotransmitter released from cholingeric neurons -stimulates muscles when naturally released at neuromuscular junctions -binds to nocotonic and muscarinic receptors -plays an important role in REM slee, cortical activation, and learning/memory -dysfunction of this system can = alzheimers disease -tobacco acts primarily as an agonist of it in the brain to make people feel more alert and less hungry -used by autonomic nervous system to produce a series of changes in the body that could be called the ‘rest and digest response’, such as decreased heart rate

-neurotransmitter that is similar to the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana -tends to have most of its effects on presynaptic neurons, inhibiting subsequent synaptic transmission - activation causes sedation, stimulates appetite, + impairs concentration and memory -agonists of this, at social doses, produce a sense of well-being, hilarity, carefree relaxation, altered perception, increased hunger, and subtle changes in thought -agonists of this neurotransmitter, while producing pleasurable effects, have a low addiction potential and rarely produce obvious withdrawal symptoms

-neurotransmitter that is similar to the main psychoactive ingredient of opium -includes endorphins, the name of which is a contradiction of “endogenous morphine” -antagonists of it bind specifically to endorphin and enkephalin receptors in order to cause analgesia and feelings of euphoria -agonists produce withdrawal symptoms that include chills, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and muscle pains

-type of drug that facilitates the effects of a particular neurotransmitter -increases the amount of a particular neurotransmitter, either by increasing its synthesis or by destroying its degrading enzymes -increases the release of a particular neurotransmitter from terminal buttons -binds to autoreceptors and blocks their inhibitory effect on a particular neurotransmitter’s release -binds to postsynaptic receptors and either activates them or increases the effect on them of a particular neurotransmitter -blocks deactivation of a particular neurotransmitter by blocking degradation or reuptake

-type of drug that impedes the effect of a particular neurotransmitter -decreases the amount of a particular neurotransmitter, either by blocking its synthesis or by degrading enzymes -blocks the release of a particular neurotransmitter from terminal buttons -binds to autoreceptors and inhibits a particular neurotransmitters release