Kenny Bolded words

All of teh bolded words from the class powerpoints

Nuerochemistry

Study of the chemical processes and substances in the nervous system

Neuropharmacology

Study of how drugs affect the nervous system

Endogenous

Produced naturally within the body

Exogenous

Introduced from outside the body (e.g., drugs)

Nuerotransmitter

Chemical released from a neuron that affects another cell

Ligand

 Any substance that binds to a receptor

Receptor

Protein that neurotransmitters bind to in order to produce an effect

Receptor Subtype

Different versions of a receptor that respond differently to the same neurotransmitter

Ionotropic Receptors

Fast-acting receptor that directly opens ion channels

Metabotropic receptor

Slow-acting receptor that uses G-proteins and second messengers

Agonist

Drug that activates a receptor and mimics a neurotransmitter

Antagonist

Drug that blocks a receptor and prevents activation

Partial Agonist

Drug that activates a receptor, but less than a full agonist

Inverse agonist

Drug that produces the opposite effect of a neurotransmitter

Competitive Ligand

Binds to the same site as the natural neurotransmitter

Noncompetitive Ligand

Binds to a different site and alters receptor function

Synthesis

Production of a neurotransmitter

Storage

Packaging of neurotransmitters into vesicles

Release

Exocytosis of neurotransmitters into the synapse

Reuptake

Reabsorption of neurotransmitters into the presynaptic neuron

Degradtion

Breakdown of neurotransmitters by enzymes

Dose-response Curve

Graph showing relationship between drug dose and effect

ED50 (Effective Dose 50)

Dose that produces 50% of the maximum effect

Potency

Amount of drug needed to produce an effect

Efficacy

Maximum effect a drug can produce

Affinity

 How strongly a drug binds to a receptor

Therapeutic index (TI)

Measure of drug safety (effective dose vs toxic dose)

Tolerance

Need for increased drug doses to achieve same effect

Metabolic tolerance (pharmacokinetic)

Body increases enzymes to break down drug faster

Functional tolerance (pharmacodynamic)

Brain changes receptors to reduce drug effect

Upregulation

Increase in number of receptors

Downregulation

Decrease in number of receptors

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Neurotransmitter involved in movement, memory, and autonomic function

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)

Enzyme that synthesizes ACh

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

Enzyme that breaks down ACh

Nicotinic receptor

Ionotropic ACh receptor; fast and excitatory

Muscarinic receptor

Metabotropic ACh receptor; slow, excitatory or inhibitory

Dopamine (DA)

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and movement

Mesolimbic pathway

Dopamine pathway involved in reward and addiction

Norepinephrine (NE)

Neurotransmitter involved in arousal and mood

Serotonin (5-HT)

Neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and anxiety

monoamine

a compound having a single amine group in its molecule, especially one that is a neurotransmitte

amino acid

organic compounds that serve as the fundamental building blocks of proteins

Peptides

short chains of amino acids—typically 2 to 50—that act as building blocks for proteins and signaling messengers in the body. They are smaller and easier to absorb than full proteins, often acting as "instructions" for cells to perform functions like producing collagen, repairing tissue, or regulating hormones

Steroids

any of a large class of organic compounds with a characteristic molecular structure containing four rings of carbon atoms (three six-membered and one five). They include many hormones, alkaloids, and vitamins.

Glutamate

Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter

Excitotoxicity

Neuron damage caused by too much glutamate

Substance abuse

Maladaptive pattern of drug use

Substance dependance

More severe form of drug use ; includes tolerance and withdrawal

Craving

Strong desire to use a drug

Withdrawal

Negative symptoms when drug use stops

Relapse

Return to drug use after stopping

Physical dependence model

Drug use driven by avoiding withdrawal (negative reinforcement)

Positive reward model

Drug use driven by pleasure (positive reinforcement)

Disease model

Addiction seen as a biological disorder

Susceptibility model

Addiction due to genetic predisposition

Exposure model

Addiction caused by brain changes from drug use

Catecholamines

hormones and neurotransmitters produced by the adrenal glands and nerve tissue, crucial for the "fight-or-flight" stress response.

3 Catecholamines

dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine

2 Indoleamines

melatonin, serotonin

Indoleamines

a group of biogenic amines and monoamine neurotransmitters (including serotonin and melatonin) featuring an indole ring and an amine group. They are crucial in regulating mood, appetite, circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycle), and stress responses in animals, while also serving as plant hormones and antioxidants

Mesostriatal (nigrostriatal) pathway

pathway is important in motor control and neuronal loss is a cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Emotion

A subjective mental state (what you feel) that includes physical reactions and behaviors.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the body for action (“fight or flight”).

Parasympathetic Nevrous System

The part that calms the body and helps it rest and recover. Rest and digest

James -Lange Theory

Emotions happen because of bodily changes (you feel afraid because your heart is racing).

Cannon-Bard Theory

Emotions and bodily responses happen at the same time, not one causing the other.

Schachter’s Cognitive Attribution Model

Emotion = physical arousal + thinking about the situation (context).

Facial Feedback Hypothesies

Your facial expressions can influence how you feel (smiling can make you feel happier).

Individual Response Stereotypy

A person tends to respond to situations in the same emotional/physical way over time.

Brain self-stimulating

When animals (or humans) repeatedly stimulate their own brain because it feels rewarding.

Medial Forebrain bundle

A brain pathway involved in reward and pleasure.

Nucleus Accumbus

A key brain area involved in pleasure and reward (linked to dopamine).

Decorticate Rage (Sham Rage)

Uncontrolled anger seen when the cortex is removed, showing the cortex normally inhibits rage.

Papex Circuit

A group of brain structures in the limbic system involved in emotion

Klüver–Bucy Syndrome

A condition (from amygdala damage) causing reduced fear, emotional changes, and unusual behaviors.

Amydgala

A brain structure critical for processing fear and emotional responses.

fear conditioning

Learning to fear something by associating it with a negative experience

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm another individual.

Intermale Aggression

Aggression between males of the same species.

Androgens

Male sex hormones (like testosterone) that can influence aggression.

Emotional Dyscontrol Syndrome

A condition involving poor regulation of emotions, often linked to brain damage.

Psychopaths

Individuals who lack remorse and empathy.

stress

Any situation that disrupts the body’s balance (homeostasis).

alarm reaction

The body’s immediate response to stress.

Adaption stage

The body adjusts and tries to return to normal.

Exhaustion stage

Occurs when stress is prolonged and the body becomes depleted.

Adrenal Medulla

Inner part of adrenal gland that releases adrenaline (epinephrine). Inner core; releases amine hormones.

Adrenal Cortex

Outer part of adrenal gland that releases stress hormones like cortisol.Outer layer; releases steroid hormones.

Stress Immunization

Early mild stress can help build resilience to future stress.

Maternal deprivation

Lack of maternal care leading to long-term stress-related changes.

Epigenetic Regulation

Changes in gene expression without altering the DNA itself

Psychosomatic Medicine

Study of how psychological factors affect physical health.

Health Psychology (Behavioral Medicine)

Study of how behavior and mental processes influence health.

Type A personality

Competitive, high-stress, driven personality.

Type B person

Relaxed, easygoing personality.

Type D personality

Characterized by negative emotions and social inhibition; linked to worse heart outcomes

Psychoneuroimmunology

Study of how the brain, immune system, and behavior interact

Phagocytes

Immune cells that engulf and destroy pathogens.