15.1.2 Neurotransmitters

• What are neurotransmitters and their function in the brain?

  Chemical messengers between neurons
• Low serotonin levels are associated with increased aggression due to reduced inhibitory control over impulsive behaviors
• Elevated dopamine levels can increase aggression by heightening arousal and competitiveness.
• What role does serotonin play in regulating aggression?

  Modulates mood and impulse control
• Normal serotonin levels reduce aggression by promoting calmness and inhibitory control
• Individuals with depression or impulse control disorders often have low serotonin levels.
• Order the steps in the process of dopamine's impact on aggression:

  1️⃣ Elevated dopamine levels

  2️⃣ Heightened arousal and competitiveness

  3️⃣ Impulsive aggression
• How does elevated dopamine increase aggression?

  Heightens arousal and competitiveness
• Which neurotransmitter reduces aggression and regulates mood and impulse control?

  Serotonin
• Which neurotransmitter increases aggression by elevating arousal and competitiveness?

  Dopamine
• GABA reduces aggression by inhibiting neural excitability.
• Dopamine increases aggression by heightening arousal and competitiveness
• Individuals with high dopamine levels may be more prone to aggressive behavior in competitive situations.
• What are neurotransmitters and their primary function in the brain?

  Chemical messengers
• Low serotonin levels can increase irritability and impulsivity, leading to aggression
• How does serotonin reduce aggression?

  Promotes calmness
• Low serotonin levels can impair mood regulation and impulse control, increasing aggression.
• What disorders are often associated with low serotonin levels and increased aggression?

  Depression and impulse control disorders
• Elevated dopamine levels can heighten competitiveness and arousal, increasing aggression.
• Norepinephrine is involved in the brain's stress response and arousal
• How does norepinephrine influence aggression?

  Enhances readiness to respond to threats
• High norepinephrine levels may increase aggression in response to stress or perceived threats.
• Match the neurotransmitter with its role in aggression:

  Serotonin ↔️ Reduces aggression

  Dopamine ↔️ Increases aggression

  GABA ↔️ Inhibits aggression

  Norepinephrine ↔️ Enhances stress response
• Serotonin reduces aggression by regulating mood and impulse control.
• GABA reduces aggression by inhibiting neural excitability.
• Norepinephrine increases aggression by enhancing arousal and stress response.
• What physiological changes might occur in individuals with high norepinephrine levels during stressful situations?

  Increased aggression and readiness to react
• What is the role of serotonin in aggression?

  Reduces aggression
• Dopamine increases aggression by elevating arousal
• GABA reduces aggression by inhibiting neural excitability.
• How does norepinephrine affect aggression?

  Increases aggression
• Norepinephrine increases readiness to respond to perceived threats
• What neurotransmitter reduces aggression and regulates mood?

  Serotonin
• Norepinephrine is involved in the brain's stress response and arousal.
• Norepinephrine contributes to increased aggression through stress and arousal
• Which neurotransmitter reduces aggression by promoting calmness?

  GABA
• GABA inhibits neural excitability in the brain.
• Low GABA levels can increase aggression by reducing neural inhibition
• What two neurotransmitters are most crucial in regulating aggressive behavior?

  Serotonin and dopamine
• Low serotonin levels can lead to reduced inhibitory control and increased aggression.