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    Neurotransmitter: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Neurotransmitter: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Neurotransmitter: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Ebook137 pages1 hour

    Neurotransmitter: A Tutorial Study Guide

    By Nicoladie Tam

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    About this ebook

    “Neurotransmitter” is a part of the college-level Principles of Biology course series and the Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks.  It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format to describe the various types of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and their functions.

    It is a study guide with in-depth explanations.  Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherNicoladie Tam
    Release dateJun 12, 2015
    ISBN9781301268610
    Neurotransmitter: A Tutorial Study Guide
    Author

    Nicoladie Tam

    Dr. Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., is a writer and a professor who does research in emotions and the brain.  She is an expert in neuropsychology, neurophysiology, brain imaging, computational neuroscience, and bioengineering.  She has a Ph.D. degree in Physiology, and three Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science, Physics and Astrophysics.  She has also been a suicide and crisis counselor, with extensive counseling experience in relationships and crisis management.  She is also a life coach, who does relationship coaching and executive coaching, inspires others in achieving the very best.

    Read more from Nicoladie Tam

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      Book preview

      Neurotransmitter - Nicoladie Tam

      Preface

      Neurotransmitter is a part of the college-level Principles of Biology course series and the Neuropsychopharmacology course series textbooks.  It is a tutorial written in questions and answers format to describe the various types of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and their functions.

      It is a study guide with in-depth explanations.  Each section is a modular unit that is self-contained for easy reading. The principles and concepts are introduced systematically so students can learn and retain the materials intuitively.

      *~*~*~*~*

      Textbooks by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., in the Principles of Biology course series:

      Principles of Biology textbook in one volume:

      Principles of Biology: Animal Systems

      ISBN 9781301691739

      Individual chapters of the Principles of Biology textbook series:

      Biological System

      ISBN 9781301003891

      Scientific Methods

      ISBN 9781301898688

      Biological Principles

      ISBN 9781310803666

      Origin of Species

      ISBN 9781301352456

      Nervous System

      ISBN 9781301053025

      Neuron

      ISBN 9781301119646

      Action Potential

      ISBN 9781301115372

      Synapse

      ISBN 9781301374120

      Reflex

      ISBN 9781301991266

      Neurotransmitter

      ISBN 9781301268610

      Sensory System

      ISBN 9781301660070

      Motor System

      ISBN 9781301500895

      Endocrine System

      ISBN 9781301642939

      Reproductive System

      ISBN 9781301424078

      Circulatory System

      ISBN 9781301262410

      Respiratory System

      ISBN 9781301805389

      Immune System

      ISBN 9781301452309

      Renal System

      ISBN 9781301927111

      Digestive System

      ISBN 9781301317097

      Textbooks by Nicoladie Tam, Ph.D., in the Neuropsychopharmacology course series:

      Neuropsychopharmacology textbook in one volume:

      Neuropsychopharmacology

      ISBN 9781311596178

      Individual chapters of Neuropsychopharmacology textbook series:

      Neuropsychopharmacology: An Introduction

      ISBN 9781301482733

      Scientific Methods

      ISBN 9781301898688

      Mind-Brain Connection

      ISBN 9781301903405

      Pharmacology: In Introduction

      ISBN 9781301843534

      Pharmacokinetics

      ISBN 9781301010776

      Dose-Response Curve

      ISBN 9781301541812

      Learning Mechanisms

      ISBN 9781301729531

      Cognitive Learning

      ISBN 9781301966455

      Experimental Methods in Neuropsychopharmacology

      ISBN 9781301966455

      Brain Imaging Techniques

      ISBN 9781311863638

      Nervous System

      ISBN 9781301053025

      Neuron

      ISBN 9781301119646

      Action Potential

      ISBN 9781301115372

      Synapse

      ISBN 9781301374120

      Reflex

      ISBN 9781301991266

      Neurotransmitter

      ISBN 9781301268610

      Neurotransmitter Pathways

      ISBN 9781301696666

      Cytoplasmic Release of Neurotransmitters

      ISBN 9781311978615

      Executive Functions

      ISBN 9781301125968

      ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

      ISBN 9781301318445

      Schizophrenia

      ISBN 9781301972692

      Affective Disorders: Depression, Mania and Bipolar Disorder

      ISBN 9781311988416

      Anxiety Disorders

      ISBN 9781311060419

      *~*~*~*~*

      Table of Contents

      Cover Page

      Preface

      Neurotransmitter

      Classes of Neurotransmitters

      Acetylcholine

      Serotonin

      Norepinephrine

      Dopamine

      Glutamate

      GABA

      Endorphins and Enkephalin

      Substance P

      Nitric Oxide

      Anandamide

      Drugs

      Neurotransmitter: Review

      About the Author

      Other Books Published by the Author

      *~*~*~*~*

      1. 

      Neurotransmitter

      Objectives

      Understand the functions and characteristics of different neurotransmitters

      Concepts to Learn

      Classes of neurotransmitters

      Characteristics of different neurotransmitters

      Functions of glutamate

      Functions of GABA

      Functions of glycine

      Functions of serotonin

      Functions of dopamine

      Functions of norepinephrine

      Functions of Acetylcholine

      Functions of opioid

      Functions of anandamide

      Synaptic actions of neurotransmitters

      Binding with post-synaptic receptor subtypes

      Distribution (localization) of different neurotransmitters in the brain

      Physiological and psychological functions associated with different neurotransmitters

      Pathological conditions associated with neurotransmitter deficits

      Molecular mechanisms of pharmacological treatment of mental disorders

      Relationship between neurotransmitter level and mental functions

      Role of blockade of transporters in enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters

      Role of blockade of enzymes in enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters

      Difference between agonist and antagonist drugs

      *~*~*~*~*

      1.1. 

      Classes of Neurotransmitters

      Objectives

      Understand the characteristics of each class of neurotransmitters

      Concepts to Learn

      Physiological classes of neurotransmitter

      Excitatory neurotransmitters

      Inhibitory neurotransmitters

      Chemical classes of neurotransmitter

      Amino acid neurotransmitters

      Biogenic neurotransmitters

      Neuropeptides

      Neuormodulators

      Neurotransmitters are biochemicals that bind with the receptors of the post-synaptic neuron.  They can be classified based on the physiological or chemical characteristics.  Thus, the brain can be considered as stimulated by the excitatory neurotransmitters and inhibited by the inhibitory neurotransmitters.  There is usually a balance between excitation and inhibition that provides the normal function.

      Physiologically, neurotransmitters can be subdivided by either excitatory or inhibitory.  Excitatory neurotransmitters stimulate the neuron by increasing its excitability once it is bound to the post-synaptic receptor, making the neuron more likely to fire action potentials.  This usually brings the membrane potential closer to threshold by depolarizing the neuron.  Inhibitory neurotransmitters inhibit the neuron by decreasing its excitability by making the neuron less likely to fire action potentials.  This usually brings the neuron farther away from threshold by hyperpolarizing the neuron.

      Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter whereas GABA and glycine are inhibitory neurotransmitters.  The other neurotransmitters can be either excitatory or inhibitory depending on the post-synaptic receptor.  It is because the depolarization or hyperpolarization of the post-synaptic receptor that determines whether it is excitatory or inhibitory.  So binding with different post-synaptic receptor can result in different responses in excitation or inhibition.  It just happened that all glutamate receptors are excitatory, and all GABA and glycine receptors are inhibitory.  The other neurotransmitter receptors are not as simple.

      Neurotransmitters can also be subdivided by the chemical characteristics.  Generally, they can be classified into: amino acids, biogenic amines, and neuropeptides.  Amino acids are often the amino acids found in food.  They are glutamate, GABA, and glycine.  These are the strictly excitatory and strictly inhibitory neurotransmitters.

      The other class of neurotransmitters is the biogenic amines.  They are synthesized in the brain.  These neurotransmitters are dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin.  Because of how these neurotransmitters are evolved to serve different functions, these neurotransmitters are often not strictly related to any particular function.  In general, dopamine is involved in motor control, reward and cognitive functions.  Norepinephrine and epinephrine are involved in stimulating the CNS and body in case of emergency and stress.  Serotonin is involved in modulating and regulating the well-being function of the animal, such as mood and feeding, drinking and reproductive behavior.

      Another class of neurotransmitters is neuropeptides, because they belong to the chemical class called peptides (long chain amino acids).  Examples of neuropeptides are substance P, endorphins and enkephalin.  Substance P is used to transmit pain.  Endorphins and enkephalin are used to block pain transmission.

      Another class of neurotransmitters is neuromodulator.  Neuromodulators are similar to classical neurotransmitters except that they can influence the neighboring synapses, whereas classical neurotransmitters are often restricted to the local

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