Neurotransmitters

What is the target mechanism of many meds used to treat mental illness?

Neurotransmitters

What type of neurotransmitter is Acetylcholine?

Cholinergic

Acetylcholine plays a significant role in the junctions of ____ and _____

nerves and muscles (neuromuscular)

When you think of acetylcholine think…. (2 major functions)

Memory and Motor

Sleep, Arousal, pan perception, coordination of movement and memory retention

Functions of Acetylcholine

What two disorders may Acetylcholine play a role in? When levels are low

Parkinson’s (movement)

Alzheimer’s

What type of neurotransmitter is Norepinephrine?

Monoamine

Norepinephrine produces activity at the postsynaptic nerve terminals in the ANS resulting in….

FIGHT or FLIGHT

Mood, cognition, perception, CV function, sleep

Functions of norepinephrine

What disease has a decrease in norepinephrine?

major depressive disorder

What diseases (3) have an increased level of Norepinephrine?

Mania

Anxiety states

Schizphrenia

What kind of neurotransmitter is Dopamine?

Monoamine

Regulation of movement & coordination, emotions, voluntary decision making, reward signals

Functions of Dopamine

What 2 diseases are associated with an increased level of dopamine?

Mania

Schizophrenia

An increase of dopamine can cause what in patients with schizophrenia?

Hallucinations and Delusions

What type of neurotransmitter is Seratonin?

Monoamine

This neurotransmitter may play a role in sleep and arousal, libido, appetite, mood, AGGRESSION, and pain perception

Serotonin

Serotonin levels in association with anxiety

Too much and too little associated with anxiety

Modulates intense emotional states

In what disorders (2) is there decreased levels of serotonin?

Depression

Anxiety

What is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

GABA prevents post synaptic ______

excitation

GABA interrupts the progression of _____ _____ at the synaptic junction

electrical impulse

The effect of GABA on the body

SLOWS down body activity

CALMING affect

Types of medications that work by enhancing GABA

Benzos (calming effect)

Mood stabilizers

What disorders (3) have decreased levels of GABA?

ANXIETY ***

movement disorders

forms of epilepsy

What type of neurotransmitter are the Opioid Peptides (Endorphines & Enkephalins)

Neuropeptides

What drug do opioid peptides produce similar effects to?

Morphine-like properties

Opioid peptides primarily are thought to play a role in…

pain modulation

What do opioid peptides modulate the release of?

Dopamine

Due to the modulation of dopamine activity by opioid peptides, there may be a link to the symptoms of…

Schizophrenia

What type of neurotransmitter is Substance P

Neuropeptide

Main function of Substance P

Sensory transmission and regulation of pain

What two diseases are associated with elevated levels of Substance P found in the spinal fluid?

Depression

PTSD

What type of neurotransmitter is Somatostatin?

Neuropeptide

What neurotransmitter acts as a messenger for serotonin in the hypothalamus?

Somatostatin

What disease has high concentration of Somatostatin?

Huntington’s disease

What disease has low concentration of Somatostatin?

Alzheimer’s disease