Psychology - Ch.3 - Neuroscience and Behavior - Neurotransmitters

  1. Acetylcholine...
    (Hint - A Little Sleep Does Miracles)
    • Activates: muscles to initiate motor behavior.
    • Regulates: attention, learning, sleeping, dreaming, and memory

    Alzheimer's disease is associated with the deterioration of Ach-producing neurons
  2. Dopamine...
    Regulates: motor behavior, motivation, pleasure, and emotional arousal.

    • Too much leads to schizophrenia
    • Too little leads to Parkinson's disease
  3. Glutamate...
    -(opposite of GABA)
    A major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in information transmission throughout the brain. It enhances the transmission of information.

    Too much leads to seizures.
  4. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)...
    -(opposite of Glutamate)
    The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

    Too much leads to unconsciousness
  5. Norepinephrine & Serotonin...
    Influence: mood and arousal.

    Norepinephrine is particularly involved in states of vigilance, or a heightened awareness of dangers in the environment.

    Serotonin is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating, and aggressive behavior.

    Both, if they are found at low levels, have been implicated in mood dissorders
  6. Endorphins...
    Chemicals that act within the pain pathways and emotion centers of the brain.

    They dull pain and elevate mood.
Author
hardworkingstudent
ID
117422
Card Set
Psychology - Ch.3 - Neuroscience and Behavior - Neurotransmitters
Description
Chemicals that enable communication between neurons
Updated