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How the Brain Works
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Background: The Synapse
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Release
Signal
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Receptorbinding
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Receptors:
Excitatory: Sends signals (action potentials)
Inhibitory: Blocks signals
Drugs, neurotransmitters, and other ligands:Agonists: Stimulate receptors, mimic the
neurotransmitter
Antagonists: Block receptors
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Agonists and Antagonists
Neurotransmitter Agonist (drug) Antagonist (drug)
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Little quiz
What would each of the following do?:
Excitatory receptor
Inhibitory receptor
Agonist
Antagonist
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Little quiz
What would each of the following do?:
Excitatory receptor
Inhibitory receptor
Agonist +++More signal
---Less signal
Antagonist ---Less signal
+++More signal
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Example drugs
What would each of the following do?:
Excitatory receptor
Inhibitory receptor
Agonist +++Nicotine
---Alcohol
Antagonist ---Benadryl, Dimetapp
+++Caffeine
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Glutamate
The most common excitatory neurotransmitter Glutamate is releasd by 80% of neurons
Learning
Memory
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GABA
The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain
Sleep
Muscle relaxation
Anxiety relief
Impairs memory
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How drugs mimic neurotransmitters:Drugs look like chemicals normally found in
your body
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Norepinephrine
Fight or Flight
Increases heart rate
Excitement
Fear13
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Epinephrine and phenylephrine
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Dopamine
The Salience Neurotransmitter
Rewards sex, eating
Increases alertness, happiness
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Addiction
Do cocaineDo morecocaine
Damage decision-makingand reward-seekingparts of brain
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Serotonin (5-HT)
The Satiety Neurotransmitter
Feelings of fullness, contentment
Relieves depression
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Serotonergic drugs I
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Serotonergic drugs II
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Cannabinoids
Marijuana mimics these molecules in the brain
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Opioids
Morphine mimics these
Relieve pain and worry
Induce sleep
Slow digestive tract
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Acetylcholine (ACh)
Nicotine mimics this
Alertness
Memory
Moves muscles
Causes secretions (saliva, sweat)22
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Dopaminergic and cholinergic drugs
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Histamine
Alertness
Itchiness
Rashes
Causes stomach acid secretion
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Other small neurotransmitters
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Adenosine and caffeine
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MIT OpenCourseWarehttp://ocw.mit.edu
ES.S10 Drugs and the BrainSpring 2013
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