Melatonin, Serotonin, and Histamine
High levels of serotonin may lead to an decreased desire for what type of food?
Carbohydrates and sweets
Low levels of serotonin may lead to an increased desire for what type of food?
Carbohydrates and sweets
What does serotonin do to arousal?
Decreases it
What is the relationship between serotonin and depression?
Low Serotonin can lead to depression (however also possibly high serotonin)
What is the abbreviation for Serotonin?
5HT
Low levels of serotonin are linked with what type of behavior?
Aggressive
What role does Serotonin play in learning and memory?
Aids in long term memory (higher levels of serotonin can inhibit potassium channels which can prolong neuronal activation and it may have a facilitative effect when it comes to learning and memory
What condition are histamines associated with?
Allergies
What happens to melatonin as people get older?
As people get older less melatonin is produced
Histamine plays a role in pain. It is increased with injury. Where is it released?
At the site of the injury
Antihistamine drugs are linked with what condition?
Dementia (antihistamines also decrease arousal)
What does Melatonin do to free radicals?
Fights them
What is the effect of serotonin?
Has a calming effect affectively and physiologically
What does Melatonin do to the blood brain barrier?
Helps preserve it
What are the 2 groups of monoamines?
Indolomines and Histamine
What does Serotonin do to impulsive behavior?
Inhibits it
What happens to Histamine levels after you eat?
Levels increase
What level of serotonin has been linked with suicide?
Low
Increase in lying and deceitful behavior are linked with what level of serotonin?
Low levels
Histamine is released by what type of cell?
Mast cells (early responding cells of immune system). Causes welts, flaring with injury, etc.
What is Melatonin's relationship with sleep?
Melatonin is a signal for sleep. Correlated with tiredness
Where are there high amounts of Melatonin?
Pineal Gland (a very light sensitive area of the brain). Where there is a lot of light, less melatonin; when it is dark, melatonin increases
Serotonin plays a big role in facilitating what type of sleep?
S Sleep
What is SSRI?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (doesn't work for some people with depression, most helpful for individuals with extreme depression)
What are the 2 indolamines?
Serotonin and Melatonin
Psychadelic/hallucinogenic drugs influence what synapses?
Serotonin synapses
Serotonin and Histamine increase when?
Site of Injury
What amino acid is serotonin synthesized from?
Triptophane
Histamine is a main neurotransmitter in the sensation of itching, true?
True
Histamine is an arousing neurotransmitter, true?
True!
Serotonin plays a major role in affect, true?
True!
