Neurotransmitters Classes Quiz

Questions and Answers

What are the classes of neurotransmitters?

Acetylcholine, Amino Acids, Biogenic Amines, Neuropeptides

Where is ACh found?

Large pyramidal cells from the motor cortex, neurons in basal ganglia

What neurotransmitter is involved in short-term memory?

ACh

What is the clinical application of AChE inhibitor drugs?

Enhance ACh levels by blocking the breakdown of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft Signup and view all the answers

Where are the ACh nicotinic receptors located?

Neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle, autonomic ganglia, adrenal medulla, brain Signup and view all the answers

Where are the ACh muscarinic receptors located?

All effector organs of the parasympathetic nervous system, sweat glands, brain Signup and view all the answers

How is the action of biogenic amine neurotransmitters terminated?

Reuptake and enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What are the two enzymes that degrade biogenic amines?

MAO and COMT Signup and view all the answers

What causes most depression disorders?

Deficiencies of serotonin, dopamine, and/or norepinephrine Signup and view all the answers

Where can dopamine be secreted from?

Substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the usual effect of dopamine?

Inhibition Signup and view all the answers

In the VTA, what is dopamine's effect and why is it significant?

Excitatory; it is part of the reward and addiction mechanism Signup and view all the answers

What effect do methylphenidate and cocaine have on DAT?

Inhibit at the postsynaptic membrane Signup and view all the answers

What are the effects of too little or too much dopamine?

Too little: Parkinson's disease; Too much: Schizophrenia or bipolar disorders Signup and view all the answers

Example of a dopamine agonist and antagonist?

Levodopa (agonist), Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol (antagonists) Signup and view all the answers

Where is norepinephrine secreted?

Locus coeruleus (pons) and postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What areas of the brain do norepinephrine innervate?

Thalamus, hypothalamus, medulla Signup and view all the answers

What are the adrenergic receptors of norepinephrine?

Alpha and beta Signup and view all the answers

What effect do tricyclic antidepressants and cocaine have on NET?

Inhibit the reuptake Signup and view all the answers

Where is serotonin secreted from?

Raphe nuclei of the pons Signup and view all the answers

What are the indicated effects of serotonin?

Inhibits pain pathways, regulates sleep/wake, associated with mood Signup and view all the answers

What effect do antidepressants have on serotonin?

Inhibit SERT (5-HT) Signup and view all the answers

What do serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine have in common?

They are synaptic messengers in limbic regions of the brain Signup and view all the answers

What are the excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters and which division of the nervous system are they found?

Excitatory: Glutamate, Aspartate; Inhibitory: GABA, Glycine; Found in CNS Signup and view all the answers

What is glutamate important for?

Memory; responsible for 75% of the excitatory transmissions in CNS Signup and view all the answers

What is associated with excessive glutamate receptor activation?

ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classes of Neurotransmitters

Major classes include Acetylcholine (ACh), Amino Acids, Biogenic Amines, and Neuropeptides.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Found in large pyramidal cells of the motor cortex and neurons in the basal ganglia.
Plays a crucial role in short-term memory.

Clinical Applications

AChE inhibitors enhance ACh levels by preventing breakdown in the synaptic cleft, aiding elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease.

ACh Receptors

Nicotinic receptors located at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle, autonomic ganglia, adrenal medulla, and brain.
Muscarinic receptors found in all effector organs of the parasympathetic nervous system, including cardiac, smooth muscles, glands, sweat glands, and brain.

Biogenic Amines

Action terminated by reuptake and enzymatic degradation, primarily by MAO and COMT.
MAO is found in presynaptic nerve terminals, while COMT operates mainly in the liver.

Dopamine

Secreted from the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA); has inhibitory effects usually.
In the VTA, dopamine acts excitatorily and plays a significant role in the reward and addiction mechanisms.

Dopamine Transporter (DAT)

Methylphenidate and cocaine inhibit DAT at the postsynaptic membrane, while amphetamines induce dopamine release.

Effects of Dopamine Levels

Low dopamine is linked to Parkinson's disease, while high levels may lead to schizophrenia or bipolar disorders.
Dopamine agonists like Levodopa are used for Parkinson's, and antagonists like Chlorpromazine and Haloperidol treat schizophrenia.

Norepinephrine (NE)

Secreted from the locus coeruleus in the pons and postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system.
Innervates areas such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and medulla, associated with depression and the sleep/wake cycle; usually excitatory.

Adrenergic Receptors

Norepinephrine acts on alpha and beta receptors, influencing the fight or flight response and emotions, as part of the limbic system.

Serotonin

Secreted from the raphe nuclei of the pons; inhibits pain pathways, regulates sleep/wake cycles, and is involved in mood and behavior.
Antidepressants inhibit the serotonin transporter (SERT); Ecstasy stimulates serotonin release and inhibits reuptake.

Amino Acid Neurotransmitters

Excitatory neurotransmitters include Glutamate and Aspartate; Inhibitory neurotransmitters include GABA and Glycine, primarily located in the CNS.

Glutamate

Essential for memory; constitutes 75% of excitatory transmissions in the CNS.
Excessive activation of glutamate receptors is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.

Commonalities

Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine act as synaptic messengers within limbic regions of the brain, with low levels linked to depression and mood disorders.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the various classes of neurotransmitters and their roles in the nervous system. This quiz covers key neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, amino acids, and their clinical applications. Perfect for neuroscience students and enthusiasts!