This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.
Neurochemistry basics
Effects |
NT's are released together combined with other chemicals |
3 Principles
Associations |
NT's are associated with specific attributes |
Categories |
NT's are categorized by their chemical structures |
Excitatory/inhibitory |
NT's are EITHER excitatory OR inhibitory |
Small Molecule NT's
Acetylcholine |
Chemical messenger |
Amines |
include dopamine, serotonin, antihistamine |
Amino Acids |
amine+carboxyl group; include glutamate and GABA |
Peptides
Peptides |
chains of amino acids; largest group of NT's |
Other NT's
Lipids |
organic compounds; not water soluble, include cannabinoids |
Nucleosides |
can be released in places other than the synapse; most prominent is adenosine |
Gases |
diffuse in other places in the nervous system; include carbon monoxide and nitric oxide |
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Achetylcholine
Who discovered it? |
Otto Lovi |
Where does it come from? |
the binding of acetate acetate and choline; choline is found in diet |
What breaks down ACh? |
AChE (acetylcholinesterase) |
What does it do in the PNS? |
activates muscles; receptors for activation are Nicotinic receptors |
Excitatory or Inhibitory? |
excitatory but can excite inhibitory NT's |
What does it do in the CNS? |
primary NT in the hippocampus; critical for learning and memory; helps maintain attention |
How does it affect sleep? |
rises during REM sleep; is usually an arousing NT |
Is it linked with depression? |
if ACh is very high, yes. causation is not proven |
Monoamines
Catecholamines |
arousing neurotransmitters |
What breaks down Catecholamines? |
MAO (monoamine-oxidase); allows for more amines in synaptic cleft |
How does MAO affect the brain/body? |
very low MAO is linked with aggression; low MAO+being abused=high chance of becoming an abuser; combination of life experiences and MAO determine likelihood and severity of depression |
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