NEUR-355 Lesson 4: The Synapse

neurons that release acetylcholine are called

cholinergic neurons

two receptors acetylcholine binds to

nicotinic receptors and muscarinic receptors

what does acetylcholine signal for in the PNS

acetylcholine signals for muscles to contract. nerve gases can act on cholinergic synapses in the PNS and can act on muscles in the diaphragm (shutting down the ability to breathe)

what does acetylcholine signal for in the CNS

the cholinergic neurons in the hippocampus are important for learning new memories

neurons that release dopamine are called

dopaminergic neurons

two receptors dopamine binds to

D1 receptors and D2 receptors

where would you find dopamine receptors

in the CNS

dopaminergic neurons are important for

initiation of movement, habit learning, motivating effects of food, sex, and other rewards (including drugs)

most drugs that are abused all…

increase dopamine neuron transmission in the brain

two disorders caused by a dysregulation of dopamine

parkinson’s and schizophrenia

neurons that release serotonin are called

serotonergic neurons

serotonin binds to

5-HT receptors

what does serotonin signal for in the PNS

regulation of blood pressure

what is the serotonin signal important for in the CNS

mood, sleep, and arousal

dysregulation of serotonin is thought to play a role in

depression, most anti-depressants act on serotonergic neurons

the drug MDMA (ectasy) affects what neurotransmission

increases serotonin neurotransmission

neurons that release norepinephrine are called

noradrenergic neurons

what two receptors does norepinephrine bind to

α-adrenergic receptors and β-adrenergic receptors

what does norepinephrine signal for in the PNS

regulation of heart rate

what is the norepinephrine signal important for in the CNS

mood, alertness, and attentiveness

what do “beta blockers” do

precribed to patients recovering from a heart attack, stop norepinephrine from binding to the β-adrenergic receptors to prevent the heart from beating too fast

neurons that release glutamate are called

glutamatergic neurons

two receptors glutamate binds to

NMDA receptors and AMPA receptors

where would you find glutamate receptors

abundantly in the CNS

what is glutamate signal important for

learning and storing memories

what neurotransmitter is responsible for neuroplasticity

glutamate

neurons that release GABA are called

GABAergic neurons

two receptors GABA binds to

GABA A receptors and GABA B receptors

where will you find GABA receptors

mainly in the CNS

anxiolytic drugs (anxiety inducing) bind to _____ receptors

GABA

sedative drugs (sleep-inducing) bind to _____ receptors

GABA