Chemical Communication in the Synapse

Agonsit

a ligand that mimics the normal effect of a neurotransmitter (ex: it will prompt the effect of dopamine)

MAO

an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation (break down) things like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine→ some neurons have high levels of these neurotransmitters & they have this enzyme

MAO inhibitors

inhibit the MAO enzyme from breaking them down (in depression, if we can stop MAO from breaking down Serotonin, there will be more available

Posterior gland

nervous tissue, can't make its own hormones, they are synthesized in the hypothalamus (the 2 are transported to the posterior and then released)

HPA Axis

part of the endocrine system: works to deal with stress

Anterior

receives hormones from the hypothalamus and then in response produces other hormones --growth hormones

Thyroid Gland

-Largest endocrine gland and receives the highest rate of blood flow (located outside of the brain) -Stimulated by the hypothalamus to release hormones -Damage during childhood can impact brain development and lead to retardation, motor disturbance, etc. -Influences metabolism→ amount of energy we have

Hypothalamus

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward. -Linked to the limbic system, its involved in the physiological response to things like stress -Releases 6 of the 8 hormones that target the anterior pituitary. 4 of the 6 only have the purpose of telling the anterior pituitary to release another hormone -Damage to the hypothalamus can result in behavior change because hormones are released throughout the body)

Acetylcholin

A neurotransmitter that enables learning and memory and also triggers muscle contraction

Acetylcholinesterase

An enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into acetyl and choline

Ligand

Any substance that binds specifically to a receptor site of another molecule.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. When released by the sending neuron, neurotransmitters travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse. -Have multiple purposes & can terminate on many things (tells a muscle to contract, tells a glad to release a hormone) -Cannot spread across the extracellular fluid

Antagonist

Ligand that blocks the effect of a neurotransmitter (meaning the receptor site is no longer available as a receptor site)

Scaffolding Proteins

Neurons that hold proteins together (anxiety & sleep disorders have been associated with damage to these areas) -If the brain makes it more difficult for the pre and postsynaptic neurons to communicate, it can lead to psychiatric and behavioral disturbances

Adrenal Gland

One on each kidney, Inside if the adrenal medulla, surrounding is the adrenal cortex Sympathetic nervous system: fight or flight, stress. Cortisol is released which increases the glucose level in blood, which helps people resist stress. People who experience a lot of stress and trauma can change their genetic codes and pass on to their children

Pineal Gland

Part of the endocrinal system, Descartes thought it was the seed of the soul -Shrinks during childhood: secretion is at a max between 1-5 years, after puberty it decreases by 75%. It may release hormones that inhibit sexual activity, meaning it triggers puberty. -Melatonin is created here, it helps in the sleep process -Can be physically displaced: he serves as a marker for a healthy brain because it is easy to find on neuroimaging

Ondansetron

Selectively targets serotonin receptors in postsynaptic neurons that control nausea -Cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine (the transporter usually binds and takes it back to the presynaptic terminal to prevent too much, but it takes the cocaine so the dopamine stays longer). Dopamine is associated with pleasure, so the brain gets used to this level of dopamine-> need more to feel pleasure. Cocaine addicts are usually depressed when they're not on it.

Vesicles

Store presyanptic neurons

Hypothyroidism

damage to endocrine system: doesn't produce enough hormone, not enough energy, can look like depression (low energy, diminished alertness, poor attention, psychomotor retardation, memory disturbance, slow speech, fatigue)

Hyperthyroidism

damage to endocrine system: produces too much energy (don't get manic), it's not adaptive energy (anxiety, feeling on edge and have nervous energy) -Sudden onset anxiety could have organic cause

Endocrine System

system of glands and hormones (gland is a tissue that releases a hormone into the blood to travel around the body; not targeted, much longer lasting, has different effects on different parts of the body). Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.

Pituitary gland

the master gland of the endocrine system (controls growth), consists of 2 glands, the anterior and posterior

Metabotropic

triggers a response that is much longer, mat last several minutes (hunger) -effect that neurotransmitters can have on the postsynaptic neuron

Ionotropic

very fast response, only lasts about 20 milliseconds (vision) -effect that neurotransmitters can have on the postsynaptic neuron