Anatomy Unit 1 Notes: Neurotransmitters

1. ANATOMY
Unit 1 Notes:
Neurotransmitters

2. (1) Neurotransmitter Function
• Released from Axon Terminals
• Travel across synapse
• Bind to:
– Other Neuron
– Effector Organ
• Stimulates:
– Another Nerve Impulse
– Organ Movement/Functioning

3. (2) Serotonin
• Digestive stimulation
• Positive, Dominant Emotions:
–Happiness
–Confidence
–Social Comfort
• Stimulates growth and development

4. (3) Acetylcholine (Ach)
• Stimulates muscle contraction
• Stimulates REM sleep
• Stimulates sensory neurons

5. (4) Norepinephrine & Epinephrine
• Increases alertness
• Increases heart rate, blood pressure
• Increases respiratory rate
• Related to memory formation

6. (5) Dopamine
• Inhibititory
• Feelings of happiness, pleasure and content
• Increased social behavior
• Muscle movement control

7. (6) Glutamate & GABA
• GABA = Gamma Aminobutyric Acid
– Inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters
– Decreases anxiety and paranoia
– Maintains proper firing of nerve impulses
(Lacking?  Epilepsy)
• Glutamate:
– Type of GABA
– Linked to memory
– Abundance  Kills brain cells  Brain Disease

8. (7) Endorphins & Enkephalins
• Structurally similar to opiates
• Inhibitory
• Can block the transmission of:
– Pain
– Excessive pleasure/excitement
• Stimulates relaxation:
– Slows heart + respiration rate
– Slows metabolism
– Excess  Organ Shut Down

9. (8) Schizophrenia
• Cause:
–Uncoordinated release of dopamine and
glutamate
• Symptoms:
–Delusional, hallucination
–Disorganized speech
–Sudden onset of depression / sluggishness

10. (9) Clinical Depression
• Cause:
– Absence / low concentration of serotonin,
norepinephrine, and/or dopamine.
• Symptoms:
– Extreme fatigue OR Insomnia
– Lack of emotion/mood
– Feelings of worthlessness/hopelessness
– Loss of interest in anything

11. (10) Clinical Bipolar Disorder
• Cause:
– Extreme imbalance, and inconsistent production of
neurotransmitters…
– Serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine
• Symptoms:
– Manic Periods 
• Hyper, anxious, volatile emotions
• Extreme focus / creativity / proactive behavior
– Depressive Periods 
• Same symptoms as clinical depression.