March 1, 2010

Psychopharmachology (Psycho-neuropharmachology is the same) Most commonly known NT's: dopamine, GABBA, norepinephrine (adrenaline) Neuro-hormones: melatonin, cortisol Neuro-modulators: AgRP, CART, peptide modulators, and transmitters What makes a NT and NT?

1. Made in a neuron
2. produce activity (excites or inhibits) membrane potential in target cell (post-synaptic)
3. Mechanics to end activity (this is an important target for many drugs)

Dopamine- a.k.a. catecholoamine [see fig 4.4]
Tyrosine --->L-dopa (used in Parkinson's disease therapy)--->Dopamine (contains tyrosine hydroxylase) -[dopamine β-hydroxylase]- >norepinephrine (an enzyme that makes neurons)

Tyrosine is converted into l-dopa by the action of tyrosine hydroxylase. L-dopa is converted into dopamine by dopadecarboxylase. The action of dopamine β-hydroxylase on dopamine produces nerepinephrine. (Freberg, 2006, p94)

DID YOU KNOW? Cocaine blocks the synaptic reuptake? Dopamine stays in limbo and eventually shuts down pre-synapse. That's where the crash comes from when on the drug.

Meth overstimulates the muscles themselves through the constant AP being fired. Eventually it destroys the muscles from inside out. (too much norepinephrine)

Random Fact: Seratonin comes from tryptophan, which can be found in cheese, theoretically, you can eat it and increase your seratonin (but that would be too much cheese for one normal person to handle).

Acetylcholine => no reuptake. Enzyme degraded to end the EPSP. Acetylcholine is also known as a bug killer because of its nicotine characteristics.