Neurons and Neurotransmitters

What are the steps?

1. synthesis of neurotransmitters (can form from within or from the food we eat)

2. storage in synaptic vesicles

3. release into synaptic space

4. binding to receptor sites

5. deactivation through reuptake or breakdown

Acetylcholine (Ach)

What is this primarily needed for?

• to make long-term memory

• involved in memory and muscle activity (to contract)

Acetylcholine (Ach)

How does botox mimic Ach?

Botox binds to Ach receptors, not allowing Ach to bind, and thus, not allowing muscle contractions —> muscle paralysis

Endorphins

Is this a neurotransmitter?

Technically not a neurotransmitter, but same function

Endorphins

What is the purpose of endorphins?

• body’s natural opiates (pain relief)

• released in response to pain

• ex: Runner’s high —> endorphins released lead to increase in dopamine

• sometimes you feel pain because the threshold of the pain is too high

Serotonin

What does this regulate?

Regulates appetite, drives, and mood

Serotonin

What does disregulation of serotonin shown through?

Conditions

ex: autism —> most serotonin in the body and not in the brain

Dopamine

What are the purposes of dopamine?

• working memory (short-term memory)

• learning (to convert to long-term)

• voluntary movements (motivators to move when you want to)

• allows us to experience pleasure

  • dopamine more responsible for wanting or craving for something

• also responsible for involuntary movement (the way you move —> walking style, posture, etc)

Dopamine

What disease can dopamine lead to?

Parkinson’s disease —> little dopamine

Norepinephrine

What are the purposes of Norepinephrine?

• involved in mood —> work in concert with dopamine and serotonin

• attention

• when depressed (motivational disorder), the lack to do something like get up to go to school correlated with Norepinephrine

• fight or flight responses

• motivates you under threatening circumstances

What are the three types of neurons?

• sensory (carry input messages from senses to spinal cord and brain)

• motor (transmit messages from brain to muscles)

• inter (connective and associate functions. make mental function, emotions, and behavior possible)