PSYCH 454 - Neuroscience III

Sensitization to drugs of abuse is initiated in the _________, this results in neural reorganization that is expressed in the __________ and manifested as a change in behavior

What are the three catecholamine neurotransmitters? What do they all have in common structurally?

The first precursor molecule in the synthesis of dopamine and norepinephrine is _________, this molecule is converted to __________ by the enzyme __________.

What is the rate limiting step in catecholamine synthesis?

L-DOPA is converted to dopamine by the enzyme _________________, dopamine is then converted to norepinephrine in noradrenergic neurons by the enzyme ________________.

When sufficient amounts of dopamine or norepinephrine have been synthesized these neurotransmitters will inhibit the activity of the enzyme __________. This is a classic example of _______________.

Newly synthesized catecholamines are stored in vessicles by a protein found in the vessicle membrane called ________________. This protein is called _________ in the brain and _________ in the adrenal medulla

T/F The amount of neurotransmitter stored in a vessicle varies from vessicle to vessicle.
True False

An experimental drug called _________ blocks VMAT1 preventing transport of NE and DA into vessicles. This causes sensations of ______/______ in the animal who has taken it.

Pre-synaptic autoreceptors reduce calcium influx into the cell when they bind neurotransmitter inhibiting further release into the synapse. The dopamine autoreceptor is called _________ and the norepinephrine autoreceptor is called ________

Cathecholamines that are released into the synapse are broken down by two different enzymes. One is called ________ and the other is called _________.

T/F MAO is present in the pre and post-synaptic neurons while COMT is only found post-synaptically.
True False

What is volume transmission? What does it allow for?

What are the three main dopaminergic pathways?

Which dopaminergic pathway is important for intiating movement.

The dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway projects from the __________ to limbic areas such as the ___________. This pathway is an important part of the brain's __________.

The dopaminergic mesocortical pathway is crucial for ___________, ___________, & ____________. This pathway projects from the ___________ to the ____________ and the ______________.

T/F Dopamine has both ionotropic an metabotropic receptors
True False

For the purpose of this class there are two different families of dopamine receptors; the ______ family and the ______ family.

Activation of the D1 dopamine receptor ________ release of the secondary messenger ______, while activation of the D2 dopamine receptor _______ release of ________.

Activeation of the D2 receptor opens _____________ leading to cell _________.

Dopaminergic neurons signal ______________ and they also learn to signal a conditioned stimulus that is _________________.

T/F Dopaminergic neurons also signal and error (expected reward not present) through depression of neuronal firing
True False

Noradrenergic neurons are found in the ___________ of the pons. In this location there are roughly _________ noradrenergic neurons, and they project to ____________

In the peripheral nervous system norepinephrine is a key component of the ___________ of the autonomic nervous system and the ___________ response.

Which neurotransmitter is responsible for alerting us to important stimuli and maintaining vigilance?

What are the two families of noradrenergic receptors?

The ____ and ____ adrenergic receptors act like the dopamine D1 receptor by __________ levels of cAMP in the post-synaptic cell

What noradrenergic receptor is similar to the dopamine D2 receptor? Activation of this receptor casues what effect in the post-synaptic cell?

The α1 noradrenergic recepotor uses ____________ as its secondary messenger, and this messenger leads to ____________.

β1 and β2 receptors ________ cAMP, while α2 ________ cAMP

The noradrenergic β receptor agonist discussed in class is called ____________ and the α1 receptor agonist is called _____________.

Phenylephrine is a ___ agonist and isoproterenol is a ___ agonist; use of either of these agonists produces ____________ in the animal.

The two primary components of acetylcholine are _______ and _______.

Choline is found in __________, and acetyl CoA is a ___________; these two components are combined to form acetylcholine by the enzyme ____________.

Acetylcholine is packaged into vessicles by _____________________; the drug ________ (like reserpine for the monoamines) can be used to block this protein.

What are the names of the two acetylcholine receptors? What type of receptor is each?

The enzyme ___________ is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine in the synapse. Once broken down, _______ is the component only that the cell reuptakes.

Acetylcholine is rapidly metabolized especially when it is released at a ________________. This allows for ____________.

__________________ is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies bind to acetylcholine receptors and degrade them resulting in _____________, __________, and eventually ___________.

What effect does stress have on the blood brain barrier?

During the Gulf War soldiers were given pyridostigmine, an ______________ to protect them from nerve gas.

In the ______________ of the autonomic nervous system both preganglionic and ganglionic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter; In the _______________ acetylcholine is only used by preganglionic neurons while ______________ is used by ganglionic neurons.

What brain system uses acetylcholine as its primary neurotransmitter and is used for higher level cognitive functioning such as learning, memory, and attention?

Which acetylcholine receptor is ionotropic, composed of 5 protein subunits, and most highly concentrated at neuromuscular junctions where it mediates fast excitatory responses in the autonomic nervous system?

Nicotinic receptors can become __________ desensitized to _____________ when they are continuously exposed to it.

Muscarine is an agonist of the muscarinic receptor and is naturally found in the ___________.

T/F Muscarinic receptors are ionotropic.
True False

Overall the muscarinic receptors is ____________. It can act on effector enzymes to ________ levels of cAMP or it can stimulate the opening of _____________ resulting in hyperpolarization.

The muscarinic receptor has __ subtypes (__-__). Research has shown that the __ receptor is required to feel the rewarding effects of ________.

____________ is the first precursor molecule in the synthesis of serotonin.

In the ______________ step of serotonin synthesis tryptophan is converted into ________ using the enzyme ____________.

5-HTP is converted to serotonin by the enzyme _____________.

____________ is involved in food addiction/obesity because foods high in carbohydrates/sugar contain its precursor ___________. Consumption these types of foods causes a surge in __________ which has calming and antidepressant effects.

Dietary tryptophan has to compete with ___________________ when it attempts to cross the blood brain barrier.

____ is the somatodendritic serotonin autoreceptor and when stimulated it will ______; ___ & ___ are the terminal/synaptic autoreceptors and when stimulated they will ___________.

Serotonergic cell bodies are located in the ___________ and the firing rate of the neurons in this area is important for the regulation of the _______________.

Serotonergic activity facilitates ______________ while inhibiting ____________.

T/F Serotonergic cells bodies have the highest firing rate during sleep
True False

There are __ subtypes of serotonergic receptors most of which are ______________.

5-HT_1A receptors are concentrated in the _______, ________, and _________. These receptors are involved in the ___________, __________, and _____________.

_____ serotonergic receptors inhibit cAMP causing neuron _____________ and a subsequent decrease in firing rate.

5-HT_2A serotonergic receptors are concentrated in the _______, _________, and __________. These receptors are involved in __________.

Ecstasy (MDMA) _______________ of serotonin.