Neurotransmission and Hormones By Mr Daniel Hansson

Important Definitions Neuron: A nerve cell that transmits information through electrical and chemical signals Neurotransmitter: A signaling molecule in the synapses that transmits signals between neurons Hormone: A chemical secreted by an endocrine gland. Some biochemicals act as both as a hormone and neurotransmitter, for example adrenaline and serotonin

The Neuron

Neurotransmission The process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by a neuron and bind to and activate the receptors of another neuron Neurotransmission usually takes place at a synapse, and occurs when an action potential is initiated

How Neurotransmission Works 1. Action potentials (a negative electric charge) in the neuron releases neurotransmitters from the terminal buttons 2. Neurotransmitters in the terminal buttons diffuses over the synaptic cleft 3. Neurotransmitters fit into receptor cells in the dendrites (lock-and-key model) 4. This changes the charge of the neuron, eventually creating the action potential (-40mv)

Examples of neurotransmitters Acetylcholine (ACh): Is believed to affect learning, memory and attention. People with Alzheimer´s disease may have a lack of ACh. Dopamine: Involved in movement, pleasure, addiction, love and learning. People with Parkinson´s disease have a lack of Dopamine. People with Schizophrenia have an excess of dopamine. Serotonin (5-htt): Inhibits behaviour and is involved with sleep, mood, aggression, love, anorexia and OCD. (Caspi 2003, Marazziti, 2003)

Examples of neurotransmitters Acetylcholine (ACh): Is believed to affect learning, memory and attention. People with Alzheimer´s disease may have a lack of ACh. Dopamine: Involved in movement, pleasure, addiction, love and learning. People with Parkinson´s disease have a lack of Dopamine. People with Schizophrenia have an excess of dopamine. Serotonin (5-htt): Inhibits behaviour and is involved with sleep, mood, aggression, love, anorexia and OCD. (Caspi 2003, Marazziti, 2003)

Hormones Secreted by the endocrine glands Travels through the bloodstream. Mainly involved in longterm functioning of the body. There are several receptor sites in the brain for hormones, influencing behavir

Oxytocin Diagram (Cembrowisz)

Examples of Hormones Epinephrine (Adrenaline): Involved in emotion and stress, mobilizes energy to deal with stressors (Schachter & Singer, 1961) Melatonin: Regulates our “biological clock” and sleep. Involved in depression and Alzheimers disease. Testosterone: Involved in aggression, love, memory, spatial ability, gender identity (Marazziti, 2004)

Examples of Hormones Estrogen: The female sex hormone. Involved in love, memory, anorexia and mood (Marazzitti, Sherwin) Endorphins: Related to pleasure, is a pain reliever. Can be released during high levels of stress. E.g. “Runner’s high” Oxytocin: Related to love, maternal behaviour, bonding, generosity. Can be increased by hugging and pleasant touch.

Major Endocrine Glands Adrenal glands: Produce adrenaline Ovaries: Produce estrogen Testes: Produce testosterone Pituitary gland: Produce oxytocin

Major endocrine glands

Assignment Summarize research studies on the relationship between hormones/neurotransmission and behavior. You need to summarize two research studies related to hormones and one research study related to neurotransmission Summarize the aim, research method, procedure and findings of the research study