WEEK 6-Neuroscience of Mental Illness and Age-Related Neurological Changes

Flashcards on Neuroscience of Mental Illness and Age-Related Neurological Changes

Acetyl Choline (ACh)

A neurotransmitter widespread in the PNS and found in the Reticular Formation, Basal Forebrain, Basal Ganglia, and Anterior Spinal Roots in the CNS, involved in cognition, memory, consciousness, and motor control. Low levels are associated with Huntington’s disease and Dementias like Alzheimer’s.

Monoamines

A class of related chemicals including Noradrenaline, Adrenaline, Dopamine, and Serotonin (5HT), involved in diverse neural circuits and playing roles in arousal, cardiorespiratory control, "Reward," affect, and motor control. Implicated in mental illness such as Schizophrenia and Depression.

Excitatory Amino Acids

Neurotransmitters including Glutamate and Aspartate that have excitatory effects.

Inhibitory Amino Acids

Neurotransmitters including Glycine and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) that have inhibitory effects.

Neuropeptides

A large range of neurotransmitters, such as β Endorphin, Neuropeptide Y, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), and Substance P, which have a huge range of behavioral effects including hunger/satiety, sleep/wake cycle, temperature regulation, pain modulation, and reward circuits.

Agonists

Substances that bind to receptors and have the same effect as the neurotransmitter.

Antagonists

Substances that interfere with neurotransmitter binding, reducing its effect.

Antidepressants

Psychoactive drugs used in modern psychiatry, including MAOIs, TCAs, and SSRIs.

Mood stabilizers

Psychoactive drugs used in modern psychiatry, including Lithium and Valproate.

Anxiolytics

Psychoactive drugs used in modern psychiatry, including Benzodiazepines, Hypnotics/sedatives, and Antihistamines.

Dementia

A syndrome associated with over 100 diseases, characterized by impairment of brain functions including language, memory, perception, personality, and cognitive skills, usually with a gradual onset, progressive nature, and irreversible effects.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

A degenerative brain disorder of unknown etiology with an insidious onset and gradually deteriorating course, leading to death in 5-10 years. Symptoms/problems are similar to other dementias.

β-Amyloid plaques

Insoluble deposits around neurons, formed from faulty Amyloid precursor protein processing, characterizing Alzheimer's disease.

Neurofibrillary tangles

Structures made of abnormal Tau protein, forming disorganized tangles, characterizing Alzheimer's disease.

Familial Alzheimer’s Disease (FAD)

Alzheimer’s Disease caused by mutations in presenilin 1 (chromosome 14), presenilin 2 (chromosome 1), or amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene (chromosome 21).

Non-Familial AD

Alzheimer’s Disease that is not generally hereditary and is associated with Apolipoprotein E gene (chromosome 19) types 4 (increases risk) and 2 (confers some protection).