1. Neurotransmitters and drugs
Signaling molecules in the nervous system

2. Homework due: NTM – Job analogy
Neurotransmitter worksheet
For each NTM on the sheet, describe a job that is similar

3. Neurotransmitter (NT):
A chemical in our nervous system that transmits info between neurons

4. Copy the chart on the board and fill in the name, E or I, effects and drug interactions for the following NTMs:
Serotonin
Dopamine
GABA
Glutamate
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine

5. Which neurotransmitter?
Jodie is depressed. She most likely has low levels of _________
John is a stressed out business man. To reduce his anxiety he takes Xanax, a medication that increases ________, and calms his brain.
LSD causes hallucinations, which are similar to dreams. They are caused by _________
Botox freezes facial muscles. It blocks the release of ________
Samuel is a schizophrenic homeless man. He hears voices, is paranoid and has twitchy movements. He has elevated levels of ______
James is a meth addict. He just smoked some. He hears voices, is paranoid and has twitchy movements. He has elevated levels of ______
Thanksgiving dinner makes you sleepy. That’s because turkey containts a chemical precursor to _________, which regulates sleep
Prozac and other antidepressants prevent reuptake of ________, thus keeping it in the synapse where it is active

6. What kind of neurotransmitter are you?
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7. Agonists and Antagonists How many ways can an NTM be increased or decreased in the images below?

8. Increasing and decreasing the effect of NTMs
Agonist:
A drug (or poison) increases activity of a NTM. How?
Mimics shape
Prevents reuptake by pre-synaptic neuron
Blocks enzymes that break down NTM in synapse
Antagonist: A drug (or poison) that reduces NTM activity
Blocks release of NTM from its terminal button
Blocks receptor on post synaptic dendrite

9. Agonist or antagonist?
Botox blocks the release of ACh, which temporarily paralyzes facial muscles (and reduces wrinkles)
Pfizer just created a new drug improves mood by binding to serotonin receptors and stimulating an action potential
Synthesis inhibitors are chemicals that slow down the creation of a neurotransmitter molecules
Prozac and other antidepressants are SSRI drugs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Black widow spider poison causes neurons to release ALL their ACh, depleting their supply. Then they have none, preventing the cell from functioning (causes death)
Antagonist, agonist, antagonist, agonist,

10. Different neurotransmitters do different things! Acetylcholine (ACh):
NT that affects learning and memory (in the brain), and movement (in muscles)
Alzheimer’s patients have lower levels of ACh.
This American Life: A Trip Down Memory Lane

11. Botulinum poison:
An antagonist that blocks the release of Ach, can paralyze diaphragm muscles and stop breathing
Botox: Before and After

12. Antagonist for Ach, leads to paralysis.
Curare:
Antagonist for Ach, leads to paralysis.
S. American Indians use it for hunting.
Black widow spider poison:
Ach agonist, causes flood of Ach, the Ach runs out
S. American Indian Hunters

13. Rewarding/pleasurable: eating, drinking, sex
Dopamine:
Reward and motivation
Rewarding/pleasurable: eating, drinking, sex
Motor control over voluntary
Low levels  Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s treatments can cause symptoms of schizophrenia (losing touch with reality, hallucinations, false beliefs, etc.)
Michael J Fox Interview
This American Life: Schizophrenia

14. Amphetamines and cocaine:
Dopamine ____________
“High” arousal state followed by a crash
Other examples:
Painkillers, caffeine, nicotine

15. Serotonin:
Emotional states/mood, impulsiveness, sleep and dreaming
Norepinephrine:
Alertness, higher mood level, focus and concentration
Low levels of these NTs are related to depression, sadness/anxiety, food cravings, and aggressive behavior.
Antidepressants are ____________ for them, as well as drugs for eating disorders, OCD, and obesity.
Ex. Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Pristiq, and Effexor

16. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): the main inhibitory NT, keeps brain from getting too aroused/over-excited
Lowers arousal/anxiety and helps regulate movement
Antianxiety drugs (tranquilizers) are ____________ for GABA
Glutamate:
the main excitatory NT, memory storage and pain perception
High levels can cause neuron death, low levels can cause coma
Glutamate may be linked to schizophrenia

17. Endorphins:
NT involved in pain relief and pleasure
Higher endorphins levels have been found in runners post-marathons and in women during childbirth
Morphine and heroin mimic endorphins, and cause a release of dopamine
Is it linked to acupuncture?

18. Reading quiz Which neurotransmitter is involved in
Muscle movement
Pleasure/reward
Mood
Sleep/dreams/hallucinations
An agonist/antagonist reduces the effect of neurotransmitters in the synapse (which one?)
Botulinum toxin blocks the release of Ach. This makes it an agonist/antagonist

19. Drugs Drugs are chemicals that interact with neurotransmitters
Agonistic or antagonistic mechanisms
Can be taken orally, inhaled, smoked, injected or through the skin
Illegal and therefore unregulated
Contaminated/diluted
Dangerous

20. Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005

21. Socratic Seminar Rules
Call people by name
Attack ideas not people
Yes, and… always add to a comment, it’s not enough to simply agree
3 before me. Give others a chance to speak
Don’t hog the mic
You will turn in your partner evaluation and be graded on how thoughtfully you assess your partner, plus your 2 homework questions.

22. Explore: Drugs of abuse Due next class if not finished today
Watch 3 or 4 animations, your choice which ones.
Flow chart: profile of a drug. Pick ONE.
Make a graphic organizer/flowchart that shows the following:
Names (include several) drug is known by
Context: typical place this drug is used, or typical person who uses it
Effects/sensations experienced
Risks/dangers
One statistic or historical anecdote about this drug (look up online)

23.
Choose 4 of the drugs on mouse party and see how they work internally, at the synapse. For each one, write the following:
1) Name of drug
2) Neurotransmitters it interacts with
3) Agonist or antagonist
4) Labeled diagram of the synapse, the drug, neurotransmitters and receptors.
5) Regions/circuits of the brain affected by this drug
Don’t do

24. Meth – a life destroying drug
– meth in the brain
Click on the links under "get answers". Explore the site: read, watch the videos, play the games.  
Day in the life of a meth addict. Create a profile of a person who’s addicted to meth. What is a typical day like for them?
Write a diary excerpt of a typical day from their perspective.
Finally, click the link on the right "view ads" to watch some of the famous television commercials produced by the meth project.
Don't take meth!

25. 10 ways drugs will ruin a date