Ap Psychology Neurotransmitters, Drugs, Hormones

Neurotransmitter

Special brain chemicals that


1. Carry an electrical charge across the synapse
2. Made only in the neurons
3. Responsible for movement, thinking, and emotions
4. Recycled through re-uptake
5. Very PRECIOUS and RARE
6. Made from nutrients in the bloodstream
7. Each has a pathway to the brain

When an action potential reaches the knoblike terminals at the axon’s end = triggers the release of neurotransmitters.

Acetylcholine (ach)

- enables muscle action (movement) and is used by different neurons.
- Learning and memory
- Found in the connection between motor neurons and muscle fibers

MALFUNCTION: Alz--producing neurons deteriorate

Dopamine

-voluntary movement, learning, attention, emotion


MALFUNCTION
- Too little: can cause shakiness throughout the body, tremors, and decreased mobility--Parkinson's

-Too much--hallucinations--Schizophrenia

Serotonin

-Mood, hunger, sleep, dreaming, arousal, pain, aggression, sexual behavior, emotional state,

-Too little: depression (prozac too boost these levels)

Norepinphrine

-autonomic nervous system: sleep and heart rate
- Sexual responsiveness
-control alertness
-arousal
-learning and memory

Malfuction
- too little; depressed moods, anxiety, high blood pressure

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Major INHIBITORY neurotransmitter

-inhibitory--slows down system, linked to insomnia seizures, anxiety

Malfunction
-Too little: seizures, tremors, anxiety

Glutamate

-Major Excitatory Neurotransmitter
-Memory

Too much=overstimulates brain producing migraines/seizures

Endorphins

pleasurable sensations/control of pain lowered levels resulting from opiate addiction

\-natural, opiatelike neurotransmitters linked to pain control and to pleasure

Prozac

ANTIDEPRESSANTS

either block reuptake or prevent neurotransmitter breakdown 

cousins: Zoloft, Paxtil all of them are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

takes 4 weeks, possible delay means that increased serotonin promotes neurogenesis

medication is helpful for SEVERELY depressed than for moderate depression 

Xanax or Ativan

ANTI-ANXIETY DRUGS

depress central nervous system activity, aid the effects of exposure therapy cut down on PTSD and OCD

side effects: psychological dependence and physiological dependence, stop taking, symptoms worsen

D-cycloserine 

USED FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS AND PHOBIAS

It is a type of antibiotic that works by affecting the activity of a neurotransmitter called **glutamate**, which is involved in learning and memory processes in the brain.

been found to enhance the **learning** and **consolidation** of new information, and is sometimes used in combination with exposure therapy to help people with anxiety disorders overcome their fears more quickly and effectively

lithium

BIPOLAR DISORDER

can be effective mood stabilizer

john cade discovered that

chlorpromazine

ANTI PSYCHOTIC DRUG

side effects: sluggishness 

increased risk of obesity and diabetes 

produce twitches similar to Parkinson's disease which is marked by too little dopamine 

tardive dyskinesia 

CLOZAPINE

shows positive effects for negative schizophrenia

Librium

It is commonly used to treat **anxiety** and **alcohol withdrawal symptoms.** Librium works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to reduce excessive brain activity and promote relaxation

INSULIN

secreted by pancreas; controls blood glucose

LEPTIN

secreted by fat cells, when abundant causes brain to increase metabolism and **decrease** hunger hunger 

OREXIN

hunger-triggering hormone secreted by hypothalamus

GHRELIN

secreted by an empty stomach ; sends “im hungry” signals to the brain.

OBESTATIN

secreted by stomach; sends out “im full signals to brain

PYY

digestive tract hormone; sends “I’m not hungry” signals to brain