Review of Neurotransmitters, Brain Functions, and Psychoactive Drugs

Flashcards for exam preparation covering topics from the lecture notes.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Agonist

A substance that binds to a receptor and activates it, mimicking the effects of a natural neurotransmitter.

Antagonist

A substance that binds to a receptor and blocks the action of a natural neurotransmitter.

Tolerance

The decreasing effect of a drug with repeated use, requiring larger doses to achieve the same effect.

Physical Dependence

A state in which the body relies on a drug to function normally, leading to withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective barrier that allows some chemicals to enter the brain while preventing others from entering.

Depressants

Psychoactive drugs that slow down or inhibit central nervous system functions.

Opiods

Analgesic psychoactive drugs that bind to endorphin receptors, mimicking the effects of endorphins.

Stimulants

Psychoactive drugs that activate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing brain activity and mental alertness.

Hallucinogens (psychedelics)

Psychoactive drugs that create sensory and perceptual distortions, altering mood and affecting thinking.

Hindbrain

Posterior part of the brain including the medulla, pons, and cerebellum, responsible for basic autonomic functions and reflexes.

Medulla

Part of the hindbrain responsible for basic autonomic functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.

Pons

Part of the hindbrain that bridges the brainstem to the cerebellum and helps coordinate movements.

Cerebellum

Part of the hindbrain responsible for balance, equilibrium, and coordinating sequences of movement.

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

A network of nerve fibers involved in attention, arousal, and alertness.

Midbrain

Relays information between the hindbrain, the eyes, and the ears.

Limbic System

A set of brain structures involved in emotion, motivation, learning, and memory.

Thalamus

A sensory switchboard that receives and sorts sensory information and sends it to the cortex.

Hypothalamus

Brain structure involved in functions such as fight or flight, feeding, and fornication (sexual behavior).

Amygdala

Brain structure associated with emotions such as anger, aggression, and fear.

Hippocampus

Brain structure that converts short-term memories into long-term memories and is involved in spatial memory.

Cortex

Outer layer of the brain divided into two hemispheres each containing four lobes.

Frontal Lobe

Front part of the cortex involved in motor control and higher level cognitive functions (thinking, planning, decision making, impulse control).

Parietal Lobe

Part of the cortex that represents the sense of touch.

Occipital Lobe

Part of the cortex responsible for visual perception.

Temporal Lobe

Part of the cortex involved in managing emotions, processing information, storing memory and understanding language.

Broca's Area

Involved in speech expression.

Wernicke's Area

Involved in understanding language.

Corpus Callosum

The massive bundle of nerves connecting the two brain hemispheres allowing constant communication between left and right.

Split Brain Procedure

Involves severing the corpus callosum.