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E4 Neurotransmitters and synapses

E4 Neurotransmitters and synapses. Ms. TRS. E.4.1 State that some presynaptic neurons excite postsynaptic transmission and others inhibit postsynaptic transmission.

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E4 Neurotransmitters and synapses

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  1. E4 Neurotransmitters and synapses Ms. TRS

  2. E.4.1 State that some presynaptic neurons excite postsynaptic transmission and others inhibit postsynaptic transmission. E.4.2 Explain how decision making in the CNS can result from the interaction between the activities of excitatory and inhibitory presynaptic neurons at synapses.

  3. At the synapse… • There are two main types of actions, excitatory and inhibitory. • Excitatory actions depolarize the postsynaptic membrane. • Inhibitory actions hyperpolarize the postsynaptic membrane, making it more difficult to reach the threshold for the action potential.

  4. Excitatory Neurotransmitters • NT stimulates an AP in the Post-Synaptic neuron • Acetylcholine is an example of a generally excitatory neurotransmitter. It is active in muscle contraction. • Glutamate is another important excitatory NT; it is the most abundant NT in the CNS. • Excitatory NTs increase permeability of the postsynaptic membrane to positive ions. This allows Na+ ions to diffuse into the postsynaptic neuron, leading to depolarization and generation of Action Potential

  5. Inhibitory Neurotransmitters • NT prevents an AP in the Post-Synaptic neuron • GABA (-aminobutyric acid) is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter. • Inhibitory NTs cause hyperpolarization of post synaptic neuron (makes neuron more negative), thereby inhibiting action potentials. • When inhibitory NTs bind to receptors, either K+ ions move out of the cell, or Cl- ions move in.

  6. Decision making in the CNS • At any given time, a neuron may receive both inhibitory and excitatory signals. • If summationof these signals is inhibitory, then it will not fire an action potential. If it is excitatory and reaches the required threshold, then an action potential will fire.

  7. Summation

  8. Psychoactive drugs • E.4.3 Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the brain and personality by either increasing or decreasing postsynaptic transmission. • E.4.4 List three examples of excitatory and three examples of inhibitory psychoactive drugs.

  9. Psychoactive drugs affect the brain and personality by either increasing or decreasing post synaptic transmission • Excitatory Drugs • Increase synaptic transmission • Includes many (but not all) stimulant drugs • Nicotine, cocaine, amphetamine Inhibitory Drugs • Decrease synaptic transmission • Includes many (but not all) depressant drugs • Benzodiazepines (Valium), alcohol, THC

  10. Psychoactive drugs

  11. Effects of THC and Cocaine • E.4.5 Explain the effects of THC and cocaine in terms of their actions at synapses in the brain. • E.4.6 Discuss the causes of addiction, including genetic predisposition, social factors and dopamine secretion.

  12. Effects of Cocaine

  13. Effects of THC

  14. Causes of Addiction • What is it?? • Is a nuerological disorder with genetic, social and environmental characteristics • Addiction often involves actions of dopamine neurons • This is part of why so many psychoactive drugs have the common factor of acting on the dopaminergic system

  15. Social factors

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