1. Neurotransmission
Psych 11
Kabotoff

2. What are neurotransmitters?
chemicals which transport information across the synaptic cleft between neurons

3. What kinds of signals are sent?
They send many different types of messages:
signal to relax a muscle - chemical reward for engaging in a particular task

4. Eight key NT systems Serotonin Dopamine GABA Glutamate Opiate
Noradrenaline
Endocannabinoid
Acetylcholine

5. Serotonin Sleep, arousal levels, emotion
Higher levels of serotonin activate hypothalamus and frontal cortex
1999 Buddhist monks dep f n w, cold temp, 48hrs=hallucinations
Too low=sleep or eating disorders, depression
Too high =OCD

6. Acetylcholine
Linked to creating memory (stim hippocampus) and muscle contraction
Affected in Alzheimer’s patients
Too low = paralysis

7. Dopamine Voluntary movement, learning, feelings of pleasure
Tied to depression and vital to chemical dependency treatment
Black out or binge drinkers seek the feeling of numbness when they use alcohol in excess
Too much=psychotic, hallucinations
Too little=clinically depressed

8. GABA Calms things down, too low=seizures
Counteracts glutamate and other stimulant neurotransmitters
Genetic predisposition – people who talk fast, worry, get fired up etc have a LOT of this ..
Huntington’s disease decreases this, causes tremors, personality changes

9. Norepinephrine Mood, alertness, quick response (sex, eating, thirst)
Too high=high blood pressure, nervous, anxiety
Too low=lethargy, lack of motivation, depression

10. Opiate system Creates euphoric feeling i.e. endorphins Is addictive
Prescription: Morphine, Vicodin, OxyContin, Dilaudid, Demerol, Codeine
But can also cause pain if taken over a long period of time

11. Where are neurotransmitters made?
Chemicals are produced in the body of the neuron
Travel along the axon and hang out in vesicles

12. How are the messages passed?
When the neuron receives the right impulse (action potential) , a vesicle bursts releasing neurotransmitters across the synapse to receptor sites on dendrites of a neighbouring neuron

13. Other fun facts
Neurotransmitters are the most important molecule in nearly every living thing
Can be excitatory or inhibitors
Some Factors affecting the release of neurotransmitters:
genetics
eating habits
exposure to chemical substances
stress

14. What genetics?
Research one of the following neurological disorders-conditions for:symptoms, how they affect or are affected by the process of neurotransmission, genetics:
Huntington’s Disease
Alzheimer’s
OCD
ALS MS
Migraines
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Asperger’s Syndrome
ADHD-ADD
Schizophrenia
Epilepsy
Parkinson’s Disease

15. Criteria for your Mind Map- Poster:
Must clearly present:
Name, brain scan images /2
Symptoms /4
Impact on CNS-PNS.. /4
Genetic Indicators /3
Must Identify Sources (3+) /2

16. Dietary Considerations
Lack of protein in the diet, results in an absence in the amino acids needed to produce neurotransmitters for later release
diets low in omega-3 and other fatty acids
Synthetic chemicals also affect the release of neurotransmitters, either intentionally or unintentionally (drugs vs chem weapons)