Neurotransmitter
Special brain chemicals that
Carry an electrical charge across the synapse
Made only in the neurons
Responsible for movement, thinking, and emotions
Recycled through re-uptake
Very PRECIOUS and RARE
Made from nutrients in the bloodstream
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