Neurotransmitters!

What is a neuron? Basic cells in the brain

What are neurotransmitters? “Chemical messengers” Cross the synapse to pass signal to the next neuron Must “fit” into receptor sites on receiving neuron’s dendrites  ”binding”

Once the neurotransmitters are released into the synapse… Binding = absorbed by receiving neuron Reabsorbed by the sending neuron Picked up by “clean-up” cells (glial cells) “Floats on”

“Famous” Neurotransmitters

Serotonin Responsibilities: –Appetite, Memory, Sleep, Pain, Regulating body temp, Mood Linked to: depression, OCD, aggression Where can you find it? –Tryptophan! Turkey, bananas, milk, yogurt, eggs, meat, cheese

Dopamine Responsibilities –Motor control, emotional responses, perception of pain and pleasure Linked to: –Too little: Parkinson’s –Too much: schizophrenia

Acetylcholine Responsibilities: –Muscle contraction, attentiveness, aggression, thirst Linked to: –Alzheimer’s disease

GABA Responsibilities: –Motor control, vision, regulates anxiety

Norepinephrine Responsibilities: –Attentiveness, emotions, sleep, learning Linked to: mood disorders – bipolar disorder

Neural Inhibitors Drugs that counteract or reduce another that naturally exists. Synthetic Neurotransmitters Drugs that increase another that is naturally occurring.