Using one or more examples, explain effects of
neurotransmission on human behavior.
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What is a Neuron? A nerve cell. It is estimated we have about
100 billion of them in our brain. They essentially have one purpose
only. To communicate to each other
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But neurons NEVER touch. They are shomer nagia (and will never
ever marry) There is always a space in between them called the
synapse. The neurons essentially throw chemicals back and forth
across the synapse.
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Communication is a chemical process, where one neuron sends out
chemicals called neurotransmitters. The next neuron will pick it up
with their dendrites and may or may not keep the message
going.
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Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles and are sent to the
edge of the button and released into the synapse. If it fits, it
can bind with the dendrites on the next neuron. If enough
neurotransmitter binds, it will fire and send neurotransmitter
across next synapse. Any unused neurotransmitter will be sucked
back into the neuron. This process is called reuptake. Then the
neurotransmitter can be used again.
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Types of Neurotransmitters
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Acetylcholine (ACH) Involved in movement and memory. Too much
causes convulsions (black widow venom). Too little can cause
paralysis (curare).
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Dopamine Involved in motor movement, alertness and memory. Too
little can cause Parkinsons disease L-dopa is the drug for
Parkinsonswhat do you think it does?
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Dopamine Too much dopamine has been linked to schizophrenia.
Anti-psychotic medication such as chlorpromazine is used for
schizophreniawhat do you think it does?
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Cocaine and Dopamine A stimulant that brings about intense
feelings of pleasure and sometimes faster cognitive ability. How do
you think it works?
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Serotonin Involved in mood control. Prozac given to people who
are depressedwhat do you think it does?
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Drugs a substance which may have medicinal, intoxicating,
performance enhancing or other effects when taken or put into a
human body. In realitythey just manipulate neurotransmitters. Three
ways
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Agonists Some drugs mimic a neurotransmitter thus encourage its
production. Examples are opiates (morphine, Oxycodone)
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Antagonist Some drugs block the production of neurotransmitter.
Dopamine receptor antagonists are used for some diseases such as
Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, nausea and vomiting. It can also
control the symptoms of hyper sexuality and increased orgasmic
activity.
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Reuptake Inhibitor Some drugs prevent the reuptake of
neurotransmitters by the axon terminal. SSRI - Selective Serotonin
Reuptake Inhibitors (Celexa, Paxil, Prozac or Zoloft) Cocaine
Stoned Mice
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Drugs Our brain is protected by a layer of capillaries called
the blood-brain barrier. The drugs that are small enough to pass
through are called psychoactive drugs.
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Drugs are either. If a drug is used often, a tolerance is
created for the drug. Thus you need more of the drug to feel the
same effect. If you stop using a drug you can develop withdrawal
symptoms.
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Stimulants Speed up body processes. More powerful ones (like
cocaine) give people feelings of invincibility.
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Depressants Slows down body processes. Alcohol Anxiolytics
(barbiturates and tranquilizers)
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Alcohol More than 86 billion dollars are spent annually on
alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is involved in 60% of ALL crimes.
Alcohol is involved in over 70% of sexually related crimes. Is it
worth the cost?
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Hallucinogens Psychedelics Causes changes in perceptions of
reality LSD, peyote, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana. Reverse
tolerance or synergistic effect
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Opiates Has depressive and hallucinogenic qualities. Agonist
for endorphins. Derived from poppy plant. Morphine, heroin,
methadone and codeine. All these drugs cross the placental
barrier.teratogens.
