Neurotransmitters and drugs Signaling molecules in the nervous

Neurotransmitters and drugs Signaling molecules in the nervous system

Homework due: NTM – Job analogy • Neurotransmitter worksheet • For each NTM on the sheet, describe a job that is similar

Neurotransmitter (NT): A chemical in our nervous system that transmits info between neurons

Copy the chart on the board and fill in the name, E or I, effects and drug interactions for the following NTMs: • Serotonin • Dopamine • GABA • Glutamate • Norepinephrine • Acetylcholine

Which neurotransmitter? • Jodie is depressed. She most likely has low levels of _____ • John is a stressed out business man. To reduce his anxiety he takes Xanax, a medication that increases ____, and calms his brain. • LSD causes hallucinations, which are similar to dreams. They are caused by _____ • Botox freezes facial muscles. It blocks the release of ____ • Samuel is a schizophrenic homeless man. He hears voices, is paranoid and has twitchy movements. He has elevated levels of ______ • James is a meth addict. He just smoked some. He hears voices, is paranoid and has twitchy movements. He has elevated levels of ______ • Thanksgiving dinner makes you sleepy. That’s because turkey containts a chemical precursor to _____, which regulates sleep • Prozac and other antidepressants prevent reuptake of ____, thus keeping it in the synapse where it is active

What kind of neurotransmitter are you? • http: //archives. drugabuse. gov/havefun/what_neurotransmitter_pop up. php

Agonists and Antagonists How many ways can an NTM be increased or decreased in the images below?

Increasing and decreasing the effect of NTMs Agonist: A drug (or poison) increases activity of a NTM. How? • Mimics shape • Prevents reuptake by pre-synaptic neuron • Blocks enzymes that break down NTM in synapse Antagonist: A drug (or poison) that reduces NTM activity • Blocks release of NTM from its terminal button • Blocks receptor on post synaptic dendrite

Agonist or antagonist? • Botox blocks the release of ACh, which temporarily paralyzes facial muscles (and reduces wrinkles) • Pfizer just created a new drug improves mood by binding to serotonin receptors and stimulating an action potential • Synthesis inhibitors are chemicals that slow down the creation of a neurotransmitter molecules • Prozac and other antidepressants are SSRI drugs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors • Black widow spider poison causes neurons to release ALL their ACh, depleting their supply. Then they have none, preventing the cell from functioning (causes death)

Different neurotransmitters do different things! Acetylcholine (ACh): NT that affects learning and memory (in the brain), and movement (in muscles) Alzheimer’s patients have lower levels of ACh. This American Life: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Botulinum poison: An antagonist that blocks the release of Ach, can paralyze diaphragm muscles and stop breathing Botox: Before and After

Curare: Antagonist for Ach, leads to paralysis. S. American Indians use it for hunting. Black widow spider poison: Ach agonist, causes flood of Ach, the Ach runs out S. American Indian Hunters

Dopamine: Reward and motivation Rewarding/pleasurable: eating, drinking, sex Motor control over voluntary Low levels Parkinson’s treatments can cause symptoms of schizophrenia (losing touch with reality, hallucinations, false beliefs, etc. ) This American Life: Schizophrenia Michael J Fox Interview

Amphetamines and cocaine: Dopamine ______ “High” arousal state followed by a crash Other examples: Painkillers, caffeine, nicotine

Serotonin: Emotional states/mood, impulsiveness, sleep and dreaming Norepinephrine: Alertness, higher mood level, focus and concentration Low levels of these NTs are related to depression, sadness/anxiety, food cravings, and aggressive behavior. Antidepressants are ______ for them, as well as drugs for eating disorders, OCD, and obesity. Ex. Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Pristiq, and Effexor

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): the main inhibitory NT, keeps brain from getting too aroused/over-excited Lowers arousal/anxiety and helps regulate movement Antianxiety drugs (tranquilizers) are ______ for GABA Glutamate: the main excitatory NT, memory storage and pain perception High levels can cause neuron death, low levels can cause coma Glutamate may be linked to schizophrenia

Endorphins: NT involved in pain relief and pleasure Higher endorphins levels have been found in runners postmarathons and in women during childbirth Morphine and heroin mimic endorphins, and cause a release of dopamine Is it linked to acupuncture?

Reading quiz 1. Which neurotransmitter is involved in 1. 2. 3. 4. Muscle movement Pleasure/reward Mood Sleep/dreams/hallucinations 2. An agonist/antagonist reduces the effect of neurotransmitters in the synapse (which one? ) 3. Botulinum toxin blocks the release of Ach. This makes it an agonist/antagonist

Drugs • Drugs are chemicals that interact with neurotransmitters • Agonistic or antagonistic mechanisms • Can be taken orally, inhaled, smoked, injected or through the skin • Illegal and therefore unregulated • Contaminated/diluted • Dangerous

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005

Socratic Seminar Rules • Call people by name • Attack ideas not people • Yes, and… always add to a comment, it’s not enough to simply agree • 3 before me. Give others a chance to speak • Don’t hog the mic You will turn in your partner evaluation and be graded on how thoughtfully you assess your partner, plus your 2 homework questions.

Explore: Drugs of abuse Due next class if not finished today http: //learn. genetics. utah. edu/content/addicti on/abuse/ • Watch 3 or 4 animations, your choice which ones. • Flow chart: profile of a drug. Pick ONE. • Make a graphic organizer/flowchart that shows the following: • Names (include several) drug is known by • Context: typical place this drug is used, or typical person who uses it • Effects/sensations experienced • Risks/dangers • One statistic or historical anecdote about this drug (look up online)

http: //learn. genetics. utah. edu/content/addiction/ drugs/mouse. html Choose 4 of the drugs on mouse party and see how they work internally, at the synapse. For each one, write the following: 1) Name of drug 2) Neurotransmitters it interacts with 3) Agonist or antagonist 4) Labeled diagram of the synapse, the drug, neurotransmitters and receptors. 5) Regions/circuits of the brain affected by this drug

Meth – a life destroying drug https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=T-duk-Pi. IXo – meth in the brain www. methproject. org/ 1) Click on the links under "get answers". Explore the site: read, watch the videos, play the games. 2) Day in the life of a meth addict. Create a profile of a person who’s addicted to meth. What is a typical day like for them? A. Write a diary excerpt of a typical day from their perspective. 3) Finally, click the link on the right "view ads" to watch some of the famous television commercials produced by the meth project. 4) Don't take meth!

10 ways drugs will ruin a date http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=x. Eht 8 t. KKw VQ&list=PL 8 CD 42150 CBB 6 EFA 8