Leah Paraskevas EDU417: Cognitive Studies Capstone Instructor: Ciara Smack September 10, 2014

 Helps the central nervous system (Anonymous. 2014)  Is a key player in motivation and reward in the brain (Anonymous. 2014)  Member of the catecholamine family (Adrenaline and noradrenaline) (Anonymous. 2014)  Also affects memory and moods (Anonymous. 2014)

 This controls moods and without it a person becomes depressed. (Anonymous1. (2014)  It also controls appetite and bowels. (Anonymous1. (2014)  It can also control sleep and memory. (Anonymous1. (2014)

Dopamine Neurons in the brain will send out Dopamine into a synapse. Then the dopamine goes into the nerve cell. If there is not enough or more than enough then there will not be smooth movement (DietBuddy. 2007) Serotonin It controls the release of dopamine and is involved in aided potassium channels, while blocking calcium channels.

Dopamine When dopamine attaches itself to certain neurons it lowers another neurotransmitter (melatonin). This causes a person to wake up. This is because the neuron that attracts dopamine is right outside a gland that controls your internal clock (Welsh, 2012). Serotonin When someone is awake their serotonin levels are at its highest controling different systems like the central nervous system. When someone is asleep (especially in rem cycle) serotonin is at its lowest. It is an excitable neurotransmitter that helps us feel excited and can wake us up it the levels are to high.

Dopamine There are foods that can raise the levels of dopamine to help with moods and attitudes. Chicken, cheese, bananas and apples are just a few of the foods (Dr. Mercola. 2008). Serotonin Carbohydrates helps the brain produce serotonin. They enter the bloodstream quickly and will raise the serotonin levels, this will last two hours (McLaughlin, 2014).

Dopamine For humans dopamine is released when we are do something exciting. Learning something new is always exciting and always an adventure. Because of this dopamine will help us retain the information that is gained. If for some reason it is not released the information will not be retained and will be lost until learned again (Burns, M. (2012). Serotonin Serotonin is involved with sensory perception. So when experiencing something new and sensing something new there is more serotonin to help with the memory of the senses (Lahey, & Rosen, 2014).

Neurochemical If the student has a dopamine or serotonin deficiency. Then it could impact not only learning but, also mood. This can make it extremely hard for the student to remember new information or even use the information later. This deficiency can also hinder the student from having a good mood toward learning or others. Environmental There can be environmental factors as well. For example, if the students family is not supportive in the learning the student can have a hard time. Another is if the student Poor sleep schedule can be another factor. Because of lack of sleep the student can have a hard time concentrating on the teacher and/or lesson.

 Anonymous. (2014). What is Dopamine? Retrieve from:  Anonymous1. (2014). What is serotonin? What does serotonin do? Retrieve from  Burns, M. (2012). Dopamine and Learning: What The Brain’s Reward Center Can Teach Educators. Retrieved from: reward-center-teach-educators  DietBuddy. (2007). How Our Brain Controls Our Movement. Retrieve from:  Dr. Mercola. (2008). Foods That Increase Dopamine Naturally. Retrieved from:  Hurd, R. (2011). How Does Serotonin Affect Sleep? Retrieved from: sleep/  Lahey, M. & Rosen, S. (2014). Neurotransmitters and Learning, Memory and Developmental Disorders. Retrieved from: /developmentaldisorderslearningmemory2.html  McLaughlin, A. (2014). Foods That Increase Serotonin and Induce Sleep. Retrieved from: and-induce-sleep  Welsh, J. (2012). Feel-Good Brain Chemical's Role in Sleep. Retrieved from: sleep.html