Biopsychology:

Neurons and
Neurotransmitters
Dr. Kelly
PSYC 1102
 Objectives

• To understand the steps and mechanisms

behind the action potential process, which
is the basis for all neural communication
and behavior.

• To understand the functions of different

kinds of neurotransmitters involved in
neural communication.
 Outline

• Parts of the Neuron

• Action Potentials
• Neurotransmitters
PARTS OF THE NEURON
 Parts of the Neuron
Synpase: the intercellular fluid between one neuron’s
axon and another neurons dendrite.
 Action Potential

• The basic process of communication in the

brain and the basis of all behavior.
– Every breath, every thought, every
movement, every emotion involves a series of
action potentials taking place across your
brain!
– Without action potentials, there is no
behavior!
 Action Potentials
Two phases
1. Signals are received at the dendrite, accumulate, and when
the signal is strong enough, creates an electrical current that
moves down the axon to the synaptic terminal.
 Action Potentials
Two phases
2. At the end of the axon terminal, neurotransmitters are
released which travel across the synapse to the receptors on
the receiving cell’s dendrites…and the process starts all over
again.
 Action Potentials
Communication within neurons is electrical, but
between neurons it is chemical via neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
 Neurotransmitters

• Now, let’s talk about these neurotransmitters. These are

chemicals that are in the neurons.

• Action potentials are signals, that create and control behavior.

• It is the neurotransmitters that determine what kind of

behavior is happening.
– In other words, the release of certain neurotransmitters during an action
potential influences what kind of behavior we will be observing.
 Acetylcholine (Ach)

 What does it do?

◦ muscle action
◦ Memory and learning
◦ Alzheimer’s disease
◦ Sleeping and Dreaming

Too little Just right Too much

Alzheimer’s disease Normal functioning Spasms

Tremors
 Acetylcholine(Ach)
Acetylcholine (Ach)

• Botulinum toxin (BOTOX is a synthetic form)

– Blocks Ach receptors
– Essentially causes paralysis
 Norepinephrine

• Originally called adrenaline

– Associated with quick increases in a person’s
amount of energy
– Also relates to attentiveness, sleeping, and
dreaming.
– Has been linked to manic depression or
bipolar disorder
 Serotonin
• What does it do?

– Regulates mood, arousal

– Dreaming
– Hunger

Too little Just right Too much

OCD Normal functioning Sleepiness

Insomnia Lack of
Depression motivation
 Serotonin
• SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors)
– Common treatment for severe depression
– Prozac
– Blocks reuptake, keeps more at synapse
 Dopamine
 What does it do?
◦ Motor behavior
◦ Motivation and learning
◦ Reward, pleasure, and pain
◦ Emotional arousal

Too little Just right Too much

Parkinson’s disease Normal functioning Aggression

Depression Schizophrenia
ADHD
 Dopamine
• L Dopa (Parkinson’s disease treatment)

– The drug is a synthetic form of dopamine, which

can help motor movement.

– It has been used to help people deal with the

tremors they have from Parkinson’s disease.
 Drugs, Dopamine, and Addiction
• Amphetamine
– Causes the release of extra dopamine than usual,
and blocks reuptake

• Addiction
Video: Mice on Meth
 Cognitive Enhancers

• Dopamine in the form of Ritalin or Adderall is

also an important treatment for ADHD.

• However, many high school and college

students are taking it as a form of cognitive
enhancement.

• There are many other drugs that have similar

boosting effects when taken.
 Cognitive Enhancers

• What are the ethical issues associated

with the use of cognitive enhancers?

• Advantages?

• Disadvantages?
 GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid)
• What does it do?
– Inhibits sending neuron
– In other words, it makes an action potential
less likely to happen.
• A very key function in the brain

Too little Just right Too much

Epilepsy Normal functioning Sluggishness

Huntington’s Lack of
disease motivation
GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid)
• Also the key neurotransmitter when
it comes to anxiety.
– Anti-anxiety drugs like Valium and
Xanax, are called benzodiazepines.
– They act on GABA receptors to
enhance the effect of the
neurotransmitter.
– Individuals with anxiety, often do not
have enough GABA in the system to
fight the anxiety.
 Glutamate
Glutamate
• What does it do?

– Major excitatory neurotransmitter

• Makes an action potential more likely to happen.

– Learning and memory

• When you learn something the thresholds and
nature of the neurons change.
• Glutumate is heavily involved in this process.
 Endorphins
• Internally produced (endogenous) substance that
reduces pain (morphine) and elevates mood

• Involved in pain pathways and emotion centers

 Neurotransmitters

• Intricate and delicate

balance of
neurotransmitter
activity keeps us
functioning normally

– Don’t mess with it!