BRAIN

NEUROTRANSMITTERS.

OVERVIEW.
A) DOPAMINE.
 Located primarily in the brain stem.

 Control:
-
Movement.

Motivation.

Cognition.

Regulation of emotional responses.

Cont…
 Generally excitatory: -
 Psychotic conditions associated may include: -
Schizophrenia.
Psychosis.
Movement disorders (Parkinson's
disease).

 Antipsychotic drugs act by blocking dopamine

receptors and reducing dopamine (receptors)
activity.
B) NOR EPINEPHRINE.
 Located primarily in the brainstem.

 Plays a role in: -

Changes in attention.

Learning and memory.

Sleep and wakefulness.

Mood regulation.
Cont…
 Deficit leads to: -

Memory loss.

Social withdrawal.

Depression.

 Antidepressants block its re-uptake.

 Controls the fight or flight responses in the PNS.

C) SEROTONIN.
 Found in the brain.
 It is inhibitory.
 Has a role in: -
Anxiety.
Mood disorders.
Schizophrenia.
Delusions.
Hallucinations.
Withdrawn behaviour.
Cont…
 Involved in the control of: -
Food intake.
Sleep and wakefulness.
Temperature regulation.
Pain control.
Sexual behaviour.
Regulation of behaviour.
 Antidepressants block serotonin re-uptake.
Long time in the synapse result in improved
mood.
D) HISTAMINE.
Produce peripheral allergic responses.

Controls gastric secretions.

Stimulates cardiac.

Produces alertness.
Cont…
 Some psychtropics block histamine resulting in:
-

Weight gain.

Sedation.

Hypotension.

 Is a neuromodulator.
E) ACETYLCHOLINE.
Found in the;
Brain.
Spinal cord.
PNS.
Neuromuscular junction of the
skeletal muscles
Has both excitatory and inhibitory effects.
F) GABA.

Major inhibitory.

Modulate other neurotransmitters.