L3 Brain Chemistry
25 important questions on L3 Brain Chemistry
What is part of the Electrical synapse?
- Gap-junctions
- Built for speed
- Bidirectional transfer
- Synchronization
- Reflexes
- Slow-wave sleep
- Neurosecretory
- Hormones
What is part of the chemical synapse?
- Pre/postsynaptic neuron
- Synaptic cleft (±200-300A; 20-30nm)
- Synaptic vesicles
- Voltage gated Ca2+ channels
- Postsynaptic densities
There are tree ways that neurons can bind to each other
Axo-axonic
Axon-soma
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What can you tell about the chemical synapse? (most common in ... Etc)
- Most common in vertebrates
- Axon terminals (pre) - dendrites (post)
- Synaptic plasticity
- long-term potentiation (LTP)
- Long-term depression (LTD)
- Long distance travel
- Myelin sheets ('insulator')
- Glia cells
- Oligodendrocytes
Which receptor subtypes are there?
- Ionotropic
- Lignad-gated ion channels
- nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh)
- neuromuscular junction
- Na+/ K+
- e.g. Myasthenia gravis
- GABAa receptors (Cl-)
- inhibitory (sedation, sleep)
- e.g. Alcohol
- Glutamate receptors
- Excitatory (AMPA/NMDA
- Serotonin (5-HT3)
- Emesis (=nausea, vomiting)
- Metabotropic
- 2nd messengers
- Biochemical cascade
There are two main classes of neurotransmitters that exist
- Small-molecule transmitters
- biogenic amine NT (±150-190 Da)
- Catecholamine NT
- Indolamine NT
- Amino acids (±75-204 Da)
- Other (e.g. ACh)
- Neuro-active peptides (±1000-5000 Da)
- Short polymers of amino acids
red circles --> this can come from food
- Tyrosine
- Tryptophan
- Glutamine
- Choline
- Linoleic acid
Where is the production site of neuroactive peptides
- Pituitary gland/hypophysis
- Posterior (neurohypophysis)
- Anterior (adenohypophysis)
- Intermediate layer
Where is the production site of Melatonin (neuroactive peptide/indolamine NT)
sleep
bevind zich in the back of the brain
Where is the production site of Histamine (indolamine NT)
- Mast cells (linings)
- Tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN) -->
Where is the production site of Serotonin (5-HT: 5-hydroxytryptamine; indolamine NT)
- Raphe nuclei
- Dorsal RN
- Medial RN
- Caudal RN
Where is the production site of Norepinephrine/noradrenaline (catecholamine NT)
Where is the production site of Epinephrine/adrenaline (catecholamine NT)
- Central adrenergic cell bodies
- Ventral/dorsal group --> medulla oblongata
- Catabolized out of norepinephrine (!)
- Axonal projections ± noradrenergic systems
Where is the production site of Acetylcholine (ACh; other)
- Nucleus basalis of Meynert (Ch4)
- Ch1-3: MSN/VDB
- Tegmental nucleus (Ch6)
- Pedunculopontine nucleus (Ch5)
Mood disturbances
- limitations
- current treatments
- Serotonin theory ± widely accepted
- Depletion of 5-HT in depressed patients
- Limitation
- not all depressed individuals (50%) respond to 5-HT agonists or SSRI
- Glutamatergic/DAergic/NErgic system
- Mechanisms of action not quite fully understood
- Current treatments
- SSRI/SNRI/NRI
- 5-HT receptor agonists
- TCA (tricyclic antidepressants)
- MAO inhibitors
- Supplements ± L-tryptophan/5-HTP
What are CAM approaches
And what are they for Parkinson's disease, Epilepsy syndromes and Migraines?
Complementary and alternative medicines
- Parkinson's disease
- Protein restriction diets
- To facilitate levodopa uptake
- Epilepsy syndromes
- Ketogenic diet
- NT changes: increase [GABA]
- Migraines
- ±5-HT disturbances
Which particular food substances can be taken to alter your neurotransmitter synthesis?
- Tyrosine
- Histidine
- Tryptophan
- Essential AA: phenylalanine (±tyrosine), tryptophan, histidine
- *DA, *5-HT, *histamine
- phenylalanine / Tyrosine
- Beef
- Tuna/Salmon
- Lean chicken breast
- Tofu
- Milk
- Pasta
- Sweet potatoes
- Histidine
- Pork Chops
- Beef
- Lean chicken breast
- Tuna
- Tofu
- Milk
- Eggs
- Tryptophan
- eggs
- salmon
- milk, yoghurt
- sesame seeds, cashews and walnuts
- bananas
Why is taking particular food substances not that simple....
- Transporter proteins across the blood-brain barrier
- LNAA/BCAA (leucine, saline, isoleucine)
- In competition with tyrosine/tryptophane uptake
- once ingested... Non-neural tissues
- GI-tract (5-HT)
- Levodopa: if not + carbidopa ± 5% would reach CNS
- GABA: controversial -> crosses BBB (?) (±small amounts)
- Cooking methods, fresh vs. Processed, baked vs. Fresh
- Dietary NT content
- Plant species, soul, nourishment, geographical location, seasonal and water changes, agricultural practices
Indirect mechanisms (endogenous production)
- e.g. Microbiota --> dietary fiber intake
Which nucleus/nuclei produce dopamine?
Which combination of neurotransmitters is within the category of small molecule transmitters?
- Adenosine, serotonin, vasopressin, arachidonic acid
- Melatonin, oxytocin, neuropeptide Y, norepinephrine
- Dopamine, melatonin, aspartate, histamine
- Thyroid-RH, acetylcholine, epinephrine, dopamine
Which are the mood + memory NTs?
- Dopamine & norepinephrine
- Endorphins & serotonin & dopamine
- GABA & adrenaline
- Anser B + acetylcholine & glutamate
4. Anser B + acetylcholine & glutamate
Endorphins & serotonin & dopamine + acetylcholine & glutamate
Depression may be caused by 5-HT depletion? (true/false)
Which enzyme(s) is/are primarily involved in the disturbed dopaminergic neurotransmission in Parkinson's and of which inhibition adds to the therapeutic arsenal?
- Monoamine oxidase & catechyl-o-methyl transferase
- Lipase & amylase
- Tryptophan hydroxylase
Blueberries, chocolate and lemon balm are rich in flavonoids and/or polyphenols (true/false)
Which dietary strategy/strategies seem(s) comprehensive to improve gut 5-HT synthesis?
- Consuming a lot of red wine
- increase the dietary fiber content and eat much bananas
- Follow a Western-style diet
- Have a good night's rest
How to boost your serotonin neurotransmission pharmacologically?
- Via SSRIs & MAO inhibitors
- Via tryptophan (or 5-HTP) supplementation
- Via lithium and tricyclic antidepressants
- All of the above + vitamin B6 supplementation
SSRIs & MAO inhibitors & tryptophan (or 5-HTP) supplementation & lithium and tricyclic antidepressants & vitamin B6 supplementation
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