Neurobiology

N341
Objectives
 Define neurotransmitters and neurotransmission
 Discuss the major functions of the four lobes of
the brain, the amygdala and pre-frontal cortex
 Describe the functions of the major
neurotransmitters in the brain associated with
mental illness
 Describe neuroimaging techniques used in
psychiatry and why they are used
Biological Model
 Knowledge in neuroscience is rapidly
changing
 No tests for diagnosis at this time
 No support for monoamine
hypothesis
 Development of mental illness is
complex and multifactorial
Physical Assessment
 Symptoms of neurological and psychiatric
illnesses overlap and mimic each other
 Non-psychiatric conditions must be ruled
out
 Presenting symptoms, history, lifestyle,
physical exam, lab work
Genetics
 Most psychiatric disorders have a
genetic component
 Epigenetics: environmental effects
on genetic expression
 Nature vs Nurture
Pharmacogenomics
 DNA variations affect metabolism of
drugs
 Testing can determine level of
metabolism
 Poor, intermediate, extensive, ultra-
rapid
 Predicts response to drugs
Brain Structure
Lobes of Cerebrum
 Frontal lobe: Thought processes
 planning, motivation, insight, executive
function
 Parietal lobe: Sensory & Motor
 Interpret sensation, proprioception & body
awareness
 Temporal lobe: Auditory
 Stores sounds into memory, language
comprehension, emotional expression
 Occipital lobe: Vision
 Vision, language formation
Limbic System
Brain Structure Studies
 Show structural abnormalities
 Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
 X-rays at varying angles to view
“slices” of soft tissues
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Brain Function Studies
 Show brain metabolism and blood flow
 fMRI: functional magnetic resonance
imaging
 PET: Positron Emission Tomography
 SPECT: ingle Photon Emission Computed
Tomography
PET Scan
PET Scan
SPECT Scan

Amen Clinics
Daily Drinking

Amen Clinics
Brain Rehabilitation

Amen Clinics
Biological Influences on
Mental Health
 HPA Axis
 Inflammation
 Gut-Brain Axis
 Circadian rhythm disturbance
 Neurotransmitters
HPA Axis

 Chronic activation
stresses system and
leads to physical and
mental symptoms
Inflammation
 Chronic, low-grade inflammation
with dysregulated HPA-Axis function
 Increased inflammatory markers
with psych disorders
 Improved symptoms with anti-
inflammatory meds
Gut-Brain Axis
 Specific bacteria found in people
with mental illness
 Meds, diet, smoking, alcohol affect
microbiome
 Digestion occurs in parasympathetic
state
Circadian Rhythm
Disturbance
 Abnormalities in sleep and circadian
rhythm can cause psychiatric
symptoms
 Light exposure sets biological clock
and controls melatonin production
 Sleep deprivation negatively affects
physical and mental health
Neurons
Neurotransmission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5zFgT4aofA
Neurotransmission
 Process by which neurons
communicate with each other
through electrical impulses &
chemical messengers
 Effect can be excitatory or inhibitory
Significance of
Neurotransmitters
 NTs play a role in symptoms and
behavior
 One NT can affect other brain chemicals
 Receptors have subtypes

 Altered number or sensitivity of

receptors
 NT can have different effects in
different parts of the brain
Norepinephrine
(NE)
 Functions:
 Attention, arousal, mood, fight or flight
response
 Decreased levels associated with
depression
 Increased levels associated with
anxiety, mania, and schizophrenia
 Antidepressants block reuptake or
inhibit metabolism
Dopamine (DA)
 Functions:
 Muscle movement, motivation,
cognition, emotions, pleasure
 Increased levels associated with
schizophrenia & mania
 Decreased levels associated with
depression
 Some antipsychotic drugs block DA
receptors on postsynaptic cell
Serotonin (5HT)
 Functions:
 Mood, sleep and arousal, hunger, pain
perception, aggression & sexual
behavior
 Decreased levels associated with
depression
 Increased levels associated with
anxiety
 Some antidepressants block
reuptake
Gamma-amino-butyric acid
(GABA)
 Functions:
 Inhibition (decreased aggression,
excitation, and anxiety),
anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant
 Decreased levels associated with
anxiety disorders, schizophrenia,
mania
 Some antianxiety meds potentiate
GABA
Glutamate
 Functions:
 Learning and memory, sensory
perception
 Decreased levels associated with
psychosis
 Overexposure to glutamate is toxic
to neurons
Acetylcholine
 Functions
 Role in learning, memory, mood, sexual
and aggressive behavior
 Decreased levels associated with
Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and
Parkinson’s Disease
 Some meds for Alzheimer’s Disease
increase ACh
Psychopharmacology
 Not the only answer
 Target symptoms
 Rapid development of new meds
Pharmacodynamics
 Receptor mechanisms
 Agonist: opens or partially opens
channel
 Antagonist: blocks receptor or directly
closes channel
 Therapeutic index
 Tolerance
 Discontinuation syndrome
Neurotransmission Effects
of Psychotropic Medications
 Release
 Blockade of postsynaptic receptors
 Receptor sensitivity changes
 Reuptake inhibition
 Synaptic enzyme inhibition
Deficient NT or Receptors
Excess NT or Receptors