Inhibitors of neurotransmitters

-diffusion of transmitter molecules away from the synapse

-reuptake

-uptake by nearby glia cells

-enzymatic degradation

What is the fate of neurotransmitters when removed from the synaptic cleft?

reuptake

neurotransmitter re enters presynaptic axon terminal; requires plasma membrane transport proteins

astrocytes

What are the nearby glia cells when uptake takes place?

AChe cleaves Ach to render it inactive

Example of enzymatic degradation

Neuropharmacology

the study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system

receptor antagonists

inhibitors of neurotransmitter receptors

Receptor agonists

mimic actions of naturally occurring neurotransmitters

hijack brain reward circuits

Molecular basis for drug addiction