Jen Lost her Nerve

If the SSRI slows the rate of serotonin uptake back into the presynaptic terminal, what would be the effect of the SSRI on the amount of serotonin in the synaptic cleft?

Increase or lead to buildup of serotonin in the synaptic cleft

If the number of receptors in the postsynaptic membrane is indirectly proportional to the amount of serotonin in the synaptic cleft, what would be the effect of the SSRI on the number of postsynaptic receptors?

Number of postsynaptic receptors would decrease

Why was it important for Jenn to adjust the level of sertraline she takes?

Want to monitor if dosage is effective or not and if it works well or if she should change to different medication. 

An action potential enters the presynaptic terminal (axon terminal, terminal bouton). Voltage-gated channels open and _____ and _____ ions enter the presynaptic terminal. 

Sodium and Calcium

______ ions react with ___ ____ which cause ____ ______ to fuse with the presynaptic membrane.

Calcium, SNARE proteins, synaptic vesicles

Serotonin is released into the ____ ___ and reacts with ______ on the postsynaptic membrane. 

Synaptic cleft, receptors

All these excitatory synapses the channels open to _____ the postsynaptic membrane.

depolarize

Serotonin is taken up into the _____ _____ by _____ ______ in the membrane.

Presynaptic terminal, reuptake proteins (reuptake transporters)

Serotonin is encorporated into synaptic vesicles for use as a _____ again.

Neurotransmitter

What problems is Jenn experiencing?

Withdraw symptoms. Irritability

Why is Jenn experiencing these problems?

She stopped taking her medication

The SSRI sertraline inhibits the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic terminal. Jenn stopped taking the drug and the reuptake transporter could function at a faster rate. What would you predict would happen to the level of serotonin in the synaptic cleft?

Decrease because reuptake transporter is working faster. Decrease in serotonin in synaptic cleft (even less than she had before).

If Jenn’s feeling of well-being is directly proportional to the level of serotonin in the synaptic cleft, predict what happened to Jenn’s feelings of well-being when she stopped taking the SSRI.

She would feel those depressive symptoms again

What unusual behavior does Tim exhibit?

Excitability, doesn’t need as much sleep, restlessness, very involved

Tim said that he felt more energized. Which hormone is responsible for mobilizing glucose from the liver?

Epinephrine or adrenaline/ noradrenaline or norepinephrine

From which division of the autonomic nervous system is this chemical secreted as a neurotransmitter?

Sympathetic nervous system

Given what you know about antidepressant drugs like SSRIs, speculate how amphetamines may affect synaptic function in the autonomic nervous system

Amphetamines block reuptake of norepinephrine, dopamine, and sometimes serotonin (monoamines). 

What signs and symptoms was Tim exhibiting before he went to the hospital?

Nausea, hot flashes, sleepless, passing out

What signs and symptoms became evident after he went to the hospital? For each sign or symptom, state which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for Tim’s condition

Hypertensive, tocartic, sympathetic nervous system, EKG is not normal

If Tim’s problems are induced by an overdose of amphetamines, predict their effect on the concentration of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft.

Increase way to much. To much amphetamines in synaptic cleft. Can cause seizure or heart attack. Nausea is sign of overdose. 

What happens to the level of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft when a drug decreases reuptake into the presynaptic cleft?

Increase

What happens to the level of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft when a drug inhibits its breakdown in the presynaptic cleft?

Increase

What happens to the number of postsynaptic receptors if a drug increases the level of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft in the long term?

Decreases (down regulation of the receptor)

If a person takes the drug in the long term and then suddenly stops, what happens to the level of neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft when the effect of the drug is no longer evident?

Reuptake transporter works overtime to pick up neurotransmitter. Decrease in amount of neurotransmitters.

If a person takes the drug in the long term and then suddenly stops, what happens to the response in the postsynaptic cell?

Fewer postsynaptic receptors so less of a response on the postsynaptic cell decrease in response.