Neurotransmitters

Electrochemical Process

The process that neurons have to go through to fire. Inside the neuron is electric and the travelling between synapses is chemical.

Neurons at their natural state

-70 mV

Polarization

Inside the neuron, there are negatively charged ions and outside, there are positively charged ions with a membrane separating both.

Threshold

Neurons need a certain amount of stimulus to shoot. ALL or NOTHING.

All or Nothing

A neuron either shoots or it doesn’t. there is no in between. You cannot partially fire a neuron; it must reach the threshold to fully respond.

Depolarization

When some positively charged ions enter the neuron and negatively charged ions leave the neuron. This makes the neuron positive DURING FIRING.

Repolarization

When an ion goes back to being negative and polarized.

Order of what happens during neural firing

1. depolarization, 2. action potential 3. repolarization 4. hyperpolarization

Once all of this happens, then neurons can fire again, not immediately.

Action potential

What a neuron can do when they reach threshold. The actual firing of the neuron

Hyperpolarization

Neuron’s resting state to go back to the neuron’s original neutral state.

Neuron Receptors

specific sites for neurotransmitters. each neurotransmitter has their own specific receptor site

Excitatory

Excite next cell into firing

Inhibitory

Prevent next cell from firing

Refractory period

resting state; when repolarization happens

reuptake

The regeneration of neurons after getting to their receptor and finishing their job. They regenerate and wait for the next signal.

Glutamate

MOST ABUNDANT EXCITATORY WE HAVE. connected to memory and learning new things

GABA

MOST ABUNDANT INHABITORY WE HAVE. helps calm you down after a bunch of excitatory neurotransmitters

-DEFECIT: prolonged anxiety

ACH (acetylcholine)

-Excitatory

-related to active physical movement

-memory and learning of this movement

DEFECIT: Alzheimers

Dopamine

-can be both but usually inhabitory

-pleasurable sensations

-regulates movement

-addiction (once you start and get dopamine, you crave more)

-Defecit: Parkinsons and ADHD (shaky hands)

-Surplus: schizophrenia

Substance P

-excitatory

-pain (sends your body signals OF pain)

Endorphins

-inhibitory

-pain PERCEPTION

-endogenous morphine (our body makes a little bit of morphine to relieve some pain)

-Deficit: Body may feel pain at more higher levels

Surplus: Body cant feel pain so they won’t be alerted

-runners high (when your body is in pain but it gives a high type of feeling of dopamine to continue running and blocks the pain?)

epinephren

-ADRENALINE

-both a neurotransmitter and hormone

-inhibitory (throws you into sympathetic nervous system to stop digestion and stuff)

-Flight, fight, freeze

-surge in energy

Noepinephren

-NO ADRENALINE

-both a neurotransmitter and hormone
-excitatory (eyes dilate, gets you alert)

-flight, fight, freeze,

calmed by gaba

Serotonin

-inhibatory

-regulating mood, hunger, sleep, easing pain

-you make this in your sleep so less sleep gives less serotonin

DEFECIT: depression