effect of drugs on synaspe

• What is the focus of today's AP Psychology video?

  Influence of drugs on neurotransmitters
• What are the cells in the brain called that communicate with each other?

  Neurons
• How do neurons communicate with the rest of the body?

  By sending signals from the brain
• What carries signals within neurons?

  Electrical action potentials
• What happens to the electrical signal at the axon terminal?

  It converts into a chemical signal
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Chemicals released by neurons
• What is the area between neurons called?

  Synapse
• What is the role of neurotransmitters in the synapse?

  They bind to receptors on other neurons
• What is the receiving end of a neuron called?

  Dendrite
• What determines if a signal is excitatory or inhibitory?

  The type of receptor it binds to
• What is reuptake in the context of neurotransmitters?

  Process of neurotransmitters being reabsorbed
• What happens if reuptake does not occur?

  Neurotransmitters remain high in the synapse
• How can drugs affect neurotransmitter signaling?

  They can bring signaling back into balance
• What are the three main categories of drugs that affect neurotransmitters?

  Agonists, antagonists, reuptake inhibitors
• What do agonists do?

  Bind to receptors and mimic neurotransmitters
• What is an example of an agonist?

  Morphine
• What effect do endorphins have when they bind to their receptors?

  They create a sensation of happiness
• What do antagonists do?

  Block the effect of neurotransmitters
• What is an example of an antagonist?

  Atropine
• What neurotransmitter does atropine act against?

  Acetylcholine
• What happens when there is too much acetylcholine signaling?

  Muscle shaking or tremors occur
• What is the role of reuptake inhibitors?

  Prevent reuptake of neurotransmitters
• What is an example of a reuptake inhibitor?

  Cocaine
• What effect does cocaine have on dopamine levels?

  It keeps dopamine levels very high
• How do agonists and reuptake inhibitors differ from antagonists in their effects on neurotransmitters?

  • Agonists and reuptake inhibitors increase neurotransmitter effects
  • Agonists bind to receptors mimicking neurotransmitters
  • Reuptake inhibitors prevent neurotransmitter reabsorption
  • Antagonists block receptors and inhibit neurotransmitter effects
• What is the overall conclusion about drugs affecting neurotransmitters?

  They can increase or block neurotransmitter effects
• What is the primary focus of AP Psychology regarding drugs?

  Effects on neurotransmitters
• how neurons work

  
• agonists picture

  
• antagonists picture

  
• re uptake inhibitors

  
• effect of drugs

  
• • Excitatory neurotransmitters result in the production of an action potential
  • Inhibitory neurotransmitters prevent the production of an action potential. They do this by causing potassium ions to leave the postsynaptic membrane
• • Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in muscle control
  • Individuals that suffer from Parkinson's disease produce insufficient amounts of dopamine
  • There are two types of drugs that are used to treat this disease
  • A dopamine agonist - produces the same effect as dopamine by binding to the same receptors
  • A dopamine precursor - this can be used to synthesise dopamine in the neurones
• morphine

  • Dopamine also plays a vital role in pain relief
  • Chemicals called endorphins which are produced in the brain can stimulate the release of dopamine
  • The endorphins attach to opioid receptors found on presynaptic neurones that release dopamine molecules
  • Exercise is a natural way to cause the release of endorphins
  • Morphine is a chemical very similar in structure to endorphins and so it can provide pain relief by stimulating the release of dopamine
• dopamine

  • Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in muscle control
  • Individuals that suffer from Parkinson's disease produce insufficient amounts of dopamine
  • There are two types of drugs that are used to treat this disease
  • A dopamine agonist - produces the same effect as dopamine by binding to the same receptors
  • A dopamine precursor - this can be used to synthesise dopamine in the neurones
• cocaine

  • Cocaine also affects levels of dopamine
  • It binds to the dopamine transporter protein
  • This prevents dopamine from binding to the transporter so it is not able to move through the membrane back into the presynaptic neurone
  • As a result dopamine builds up in the synapses which can lead to feelings of pleasure
• mdma

  • MDMA stimulates the release of multiple neurotransmitters most notably, serotonin
  • Serotonin can affect people in many ways including their mood, anxiety and sleep
  • When an individual takes MDMA they may feel extreme euphoria and enhanced touch and bodily sensations