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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of agonist drugs?
What is the primary function of agonist drugs?
How do direct-acting drugs influence neurotransmission?
How do direct-acting drugs influence neurotransmission?
Which of the following describes the action of cocaine?
Which of the following describes the action of cocaine?
What effect do selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have on serotonin levels?
What effect do selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have on serotonin levels?
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Which type of drugs block the effects of neurotransmission?
Which type of drugs block the effects of neurotransmission?
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What can happen if neurons do not manufacture enough of a particular neurotransmitter?
What can happen if neurons do not manufacture enough of a particular neurotransmitter?
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Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood disorders such as depression?
Which neurotransmitter is associated with mood disorders such as depression?
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What condition may result from too much norepinephrine activity?
What condition may result from too much norepinephrine activity?
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Which neurotransmitter's deficiency is linked to Alzheimer's disease?
Which neurotransmitter's deficiency is linked to Alzheimer's disease?
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How can drugs that affect neurotransmitters help patients?
How can drugs that affect neurotransmitters help patients?
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What possible effect does an increase in glutamate activity have?
What possible effect does an increase in glutamate activity have?
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Which neurotransmitter is linked with addiction and schizophrenia?
Which neurotransmitter is linked with addiction and schizophrenia?
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What can rapid reabsorption of neurotransmitters potentially cause?
What can rapid reabsorption of neurotransmitters potentially cause?
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Study Notes
Neurotransmitters & Mental Disorders
- Neurotransmitters can malfunction in various ways, such as insufficient production, rapid reabsorption, excessive enzyme deactivation, or over-release.
- Imbalances in neurotransmitters contribute to various diseases like Alzheimer's, epilepsy, and Parkinson's.
- Certain neurotransmitters, often called "feel-good" chemicals, influence mood, including dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, norepinephrine, and endorphins.
- Medications that alter neurotransmitter activity are often prescribed to treat psychiatric conditions.
Examples of Neurotransmitter-Related Issues
- Dopamine is linked to addiction and schizophrenia.
- Serotonin is associated with mood disorders (e.g., depression, OCD).
- Dopamine, GABA, serotonin, and norepinephrine are connected to anxiety disorders.
- Insufficient acetylcholine is a factor in Alzheimer's disease memory loss.
- Excessive serotonin may be related to autism spectrum disorder.
- Increased glutamate activity or reduced GABA activity can cause seizures.
- Excessive norepinephrine and dopamine activity, along with abnormal glutamate transmission, contribute to mania.
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitters
- Agonists increase neurotransmitter effects.
- Antagonists block neurotransmitter effects.
- Direct-acting drugs mimic neurotransmitters in structure to bind to and stimulate receptors.
- Indirect-acting drugs influence neurotransmitter activity by acting on synaptic receptors.
- Medications for conditions like depression and anxiety (SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines) influence neurotransmitters.
- SSRIs (e.g., Prozac, Paxil) increase serotonin levels by blocking serotonin reuptake.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., Aricept) prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, potentially improving cognitive function in Alzheimer's.
- Illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana also impact neurotransmission. Heroin acts as a direct-acting agonist mimicking opioids, while cocaine influences dopamine transmission indirectly.
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Description
Explore the critical role of neurotransmitters in mental health through this quiz. Learn about their impact on conditions like depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the feel-good chemicals that influence mood. Dive into how imbalances can lead to mental disorders and the medications used to correct these issues.
