Neurobiology

inhibitory/calming neurotransmitters (2)

• serotonin

• GABA

excitatory neurotransmitters (3)

• epinephrine

• glutamate

• dopamine

other neurotransmitters (3)

• norepinephrine

• acetylcholine

• histamine

which imaging techniques show anatomy (structure)

• CT - computed tomography

• MRI - magnetic resonance imaging

which imaging shows brain function

• PET - positron emission tomography

• SPECT - single photon emission computed tomography

• fMRI - functional MRI

major brain functions (5)

• homeostasis

• regulate ANS + hormones

• biological drives + behavior

  • circadian rhythms, sleep/wakefulness cycle

• conscious mental activity

• memory

limbic system

• learning, memory, emotions, visceral responses

• abnormalities = excess emotional response

hippocampus

• memory

• controls endocrine + immune systems

amygdala

• processes emotions: anxiety, fear, pleasure

basal ganglia

coordinate + aid in skeletal muscle movement

perception process

• Peripheral Nervous System sends us signal

• Sensory Cortex-touch sensation evaluated

• Hippocampus– Do I have a memory of being touched like this before? If so, what was that like? What should I expect next?

• Amygdala- Is there an emotional connection of a previous/similar touch experience

• Basal ganglia- action; withdraw in fear; return the touch by reaching out with similar gentleness or strength

neuroplasticity

• ability of brain to reorganize neural pathways based on new experiences

• brain changes with learning

what do we require to learn or memorize a fact or skill?

persistent functional changes in brain that represent new knowledge

synaptic pruning

• neurological process removes unnecessary/damaged nueronal structures

• weeds out “weaker” synapses

• simple is replaced by complex

• improves “networking” capacity

what can happen in schizophrenia related to synapses?

overpruning of synapses

nursing interventions and education

 Social Connections: give community resources

 New Learning

 Healthy Diet

 Sleep Hygiene

 Exercise

 Healthy anxiety

 Meditation

 Gratitude

 ANT Killing to combat cognitive distortions

neurotransmitter definition

• chemicals in tiny sacs at the end of axon

• released when electrical impulses pass along the axon

• transmit nerve impulses across the synapse

are neurotransmitters seen pre or post synapticallly?

both!

dopamine

• complex movements, motivation, cognition

• regulate emotional response

• role in hallucinations

what is dopamine increased/decreased in?

• decreased: depression, addiction

• increased: schizophrenia (positive symptoms), mania

norepinephrine

• attention, learning, memory, sleep, wakefulness, mood regulation

• sympathetic branch of ANS: fight or flight stress response

what norepinephrine increased/decreased in

• decreased: depression

• increased: mania, anxiety, schizophrenia

what is epinephrine responsible for?

fight or flight response

glutamate increased/decreased in

• increased: alzheimer’s (seizure and neurodegeneration)

• decreased: psychosis, autism, OCD, depression, schizophrenia

what can glutamate be at high levels?

neurotoxic

serotonin

• food intake, sleep/wakefulness

• temp regulation, pain control

• sexual behaviors

• emotion regulation

• some cognitive function

serotonin decreased in

depression + anxiety

GABA

reduces anxiety, aggression, stress through modulating other neurotransmitters

what other neurotransmitters does GABA regulate?

norepinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin

GABA decreased in

anxiety, mania, schizophrenia

what neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory?

acetylcholine

acetylcholine

• sleep/wakefulness cycle

• cognitive functioning

• signals muscles to become alert

acetylcholine increased/decreased in

• decreased: alzheimer’s, sleep disorders

• increased: depression

psychopharmacology

study of drug effects in clients and expert use of drugs in treating psychiatric conditions

how are clinical symptoms managed?

alteration of buochemicals/neurotransmitters

guides for meds in psychiatrics

• many need meds

• failure to medicate = can prolong illness

• start low doses

• hold med if side effects occur

• one med started at a time

• lower doses for older adults

• risks vs benefits before starting meds

what can diet affect for meds

can influence half life of a drug

• Li and Na

which population are typically slow metabolizers of atypical antipsychotics?

African Americans and Asian descent

discontinuation syndrome

• sudden decrease in dose/discontinuation of certain psychotropic meds

• rebound/relapse of OG symptoms

• new physical/psychological symptoms appear