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Some Basics on Neurotransmission Neurotransmitters either excite or inhibit other neurons Agonists bind to receptor cells and cause the cell to respond, while antagonists inhibit the cell from responding. Can affect mood, memory decision making, problem solving and long term health
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Neurotransmitters Are Your Friends
Some Basics on Neurotransmission
• Neurotransmitters either excite or inhibit other neurons– Agonists bind to receptor cells and cause the cell
to respond, while antagonists inhibit the cell from responding.
• Can affect mood, memory decision making, problem solving and long term health
Serotonin
• CNS: regulation of mood• Obsessions and compulsions• Motivation/emotional responses• Anti-depressants are designed to selectively
block the re-uptake of serotonin in the brain
Dopamine
• CNS:basal ganglia motor loop• Memory, attention, problem solving• Released w/food and sex, pleasure and reward– Cocaine blocks the re-uptake of Dopamine
• Also released when we are anticipating or making predictions about what might occur in the future and adjusting expectations when we are right/wrong
Norepinephrine
• CNS: involved in hypothalamus with Hunger, also interacts with dopamine and Serotonin
• Alertness and Attention• Concentration and Energy• Anti-depressants will also target
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
• CNS: readies body or fight/fight – increase HR, BP, Blood to skeletal muscles– Adrenaline acts as a neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system and as a hormone in the blood circulation.
Acetylcholine
• CNS/PNS: muscle contraction, sweating, fight/flight response back to normal (sympathetic/parasympathetic)
• Acts to help return to Homeostasis• Acts as an inhibitor to cardiac tissue• Is excitatory in skeletal muscles• Nicotine mimics acetylcholine, it fits into the
same chemical locks
GABA
• CNS: decrease neural activity• Acts as a depressant at the neural level• Decrease inhibitions/anxiety/tension• Alcohol mimics GABA
Glutamate
• CNS: Excitatory, long term memory and learning
• Essential for Long Term Potentiation (LTP) and encoding memory
• A precursor for the synthesis of GABA which helps explain the impaired cognitive functioning when drunk