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Explore the fundamentals of the nervous system, including neurons, synapses, and neurotransmitters. Learn how these components work together to transmit information within the brain and body, and discover the role of neuropharmacology in treating various disorders.
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The Neuron • The brain’s most basic functional unit
The Neuron Soma Dendrites Myelin Sheath Axon Terminals Axon
The Neuron • Soma (cell body) – contains nucleus, cytoplasm, organelles • Dendrites – receive info • Axon – transmits info • Myelin sheath – covers the axon to increase transmission speed (cause of sensory and motor disturbances in multiple sclerosis)
Action Potentials • How neurons transfer info • Changes neuron’s membrane potential • Rising phase – membrane depolarizes • Overshoot • Falling phase – membrane repolarizes • Undershoot • Restoration of resting potential
The Synapse • Axon terminal releases neurotransmitters • Neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to receptors on another neuron • Neurotransmitters released, taken up again by first neuron
Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine – movement (respiratory paralysis) • Serotonin – mood, sleep, appetite, anxiety (depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder) • Dopamine – motivation, pleasure (schizophrenia, Parkinson’s) • Epinephrine and Norepinephrine – attention, anxiety, stress (epilepsy, mania in bipolar disorder)
Reuptake Inhibitors • Prevent reuptake of neurotransmitters from the synapse • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors • Example: Prozac • Treats depression, OCD, panic disorder