Neurotransmitters: Catecholamines and Their Systems

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the catecholamines, their synthesis, systems, and associated functions and disorders.

Catecholamines

A group of neurotransmitters that includes dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.

L-DOPA

A precursor to dopamine, crucial for dopamine synthesis.

Nigrostriatal system

A dopamine system important for the initiation of voluntary movements.

Mesolimbic system

A dopamine system involved in reward and reinforcement.

Mesocortical system

A dopamine system associated with cognitive processes such as attention and working memory.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter linked to movement, reward, and cognitive functions.

Parkinson's Disease

A neurological condition characterized by the degeneration of the substantia nigra, leading to movement difficulties.

Working memory

The ability to hold and manipulate information in mind.

Dopamine agonists

Substances that activate dopamine receptors, often used to treat conditions like ADHD.

Beta blockers

Medications that block the effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine, used for anxiety and high blood pressure.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter and hormone involved in arousal and the fight-or-flight response.

Epinephrine

A neurotransmitter and hormone that also plays a role in the fight-or-flight response.

Locus coeruleus

A small group of neurons in the brain that produces norepinephrine.

Dopamine type 2 receptor blocker

A type of medication used as an antipsychotic, affecting dopamine pathways.

Addictive behaviors

Behaviors that can develop as a result of targeting dopamine systems with drugs.

Tolerance

A reduced response to a drug after repeated use, often linked with the mesolimbic system.