Neuroanatomy

Types of Cells Neurons: Individual Nerve Cells. (Generate/Conduct Electric impulses) Glial Cells: “Housekeeper” Cells of Nervous System 1. Hold Neurons in place 2. Supply Nutrients & Oxygen to Neurons 3. Insulate Neurons from each other 4. Destroy & remove dead Neurons 100 Billion just in brain 10-50 times more in brain than Neurons

Types of Neurons Afferent Neurons (Sensory Neurons) Take info. From Senses to CNS (A for Arriving) Efferent Neurons (Motor Neurons) Take info. From CNS to rest of body (E for Exit) Interneurons Internal Communication within the CNS. (I for Internal)

Parts of a Neuron

Neuronal Firing Resting Potential (-70) Threshold Reached -All-or-Nothing 3) Depolarization -Selective Permeability Repolarization -Refractory Period

The Magic School Bus There is a bus full of unhappy children on their way to Normal Community High school. They’re feeling sad because the world outside looks so happy, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, etc. At a certain point, the driver makes a stop and picks up a kid by opening the bus door. The wonderful air whooshes in, and if enough kids go from sad to happy, then they start getting rambunctious. Having now, wasted their energy, there’s a short time before they can start it up again. Parts of a Neuron Soma Nucleus Dendrite Axon Myelin Sheath Neuronal Firing Resting Potential Threshold All-or-Nothing Depolarization Selective Permeability Repolarization Refractory Period

How is a toilet flushing analogous to a neuron firing? Resting Potential Threshold All-or-Nothing Depolarization Selective Permeability Repolarization Refractory Period

Neurotransmitters Excitatory Signal: Produce Action Potentials. (When you are excited, you “do” things) Inhibitory Signal: Prevent Action Potentials. (When you are inhibited, you are slowed down)

Reuptake Sending Neuron reabsorbs extra neurotransmitters remaining in Synapse Like a vacuum- the sending neuron sucks back excessive NTs to later be used- if NTs stay in the synapse for a period of time, then problems could occur. How it Works

Attention; Emotion (Pleasure); voluntary movement Neurotransmitters Normal Function: Attention; Emotion (Pleasure); voluntary movement Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Problems with Imbalance: Too much: Schizophrenia, Too little: Parkinson’s GABA Glutamine Substances that Affect: Cocaine, amphetamines, Ritalin, alcohol Endorphins

Mood, Hunger, Sleep, & Arousal Neurotransmitters Normal Function: Mood, Hunger, Sleep, & Arousal Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Problems with Imbalance: Lack associated with Depression, certain anxiety disorders (OCD) GABA Glutamine Substances that Affect: Prozac, hallucinogenics (e.g. LSD) Endorphins

Muscle Action, Learning & Memory Neurotransmitters Dopamine Normal Function: Muscle Action, Learning & Memory Serotonin Acetylcholine Problems with Imbalance: Certain muscular disorders, Alzheimer’s disease GABA Glutamine Substances that Affect: Curare (Antagonist: Blocks NT) Endorphins

Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS Neurotransmitters Normal Function: Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in neurons of CNS Dopamine Serotonin Acetylcholine Problems with Imbalance: Lack of leads to Seizures & Tremors GABA Glutamine Substances that Affect: Tranquilizers (e.g. Valium, Librium), alcohol Endorphins

Too much overstimulates brain: Migranes & Seizures Neurotransmitters Dopamine Normal Function: Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS; involved in learning and memory Serotonin Acetylcholine Problems with Imbalance: Too much overstimulates brain: Migranes & Seizures GABA Glutamine Substances that Affect: PCP (“angel dust”), MSG Endorphins

Pleasure (Addiction) and control of pain Neurotransmitters Dopamine Normal Function: Pleasure (Addiction) and control of pain Serotonin Acetylcholine Problems with Imbalance: Lack of leads to heightened sensation of pain GABA Substances that Affect: Opiates: opium, heroin, morphine, methadone (Agonists: Mimic) Glutamine Endorphins

Mouse Party