Neurotransmitters and drugs - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Neurotransmitters and drugs

Signaling molecules in the nervous systemSlide2

Homework due: NTM – Job analogy

Neurotransmitter worksheet

For each NTM on the sheet, describe a job that is similar Slide3

Neurotransmitter (NT)

:

A chemical in our nervous system that transmits info between neuronsSlide4

Copy the chart on the board and fill in the name, E or I, effects and drug interactions for the following NTMs:

Serotonin

Dopamine

GABA

Glutamate

Norepinephrine

AcetylcholineSlide5

Which neurotransmitter?

Jodie is depressed. She most likely has low levels of _________

John is a stressed out business man. To reduce his anxiety he takes

Xanax

, a medication that increases ________, and calms his brain.

LSD causes hallucinations, which are similar to dreams. They are caused by _________

Botox freezes facial muscles. It blocks the release of ________

Samuel is a schizophrenic homeless man. He hears voices, is paranoid and has twitchy movements. He has elevated levels of ______

James is a meth addict. He just smoked some. He hears voices, is paranoid and has twitchy movements. He has elevated levels of ______

Thanksgiving dinner makes you sleepy. That’s because turkey

containts

a chemical precursor to _________, which regulates sleep

Prozac and other antidepressants prevent reuptake of ________, thus keeping it in the synapse where it is activeSlide6

What kind of neurotransmitter are you?

http://archives.drugabuse.gov/havefun/what_neurotransmitter_popup.phpSlide7

Agonists and Antagonists

How many ways can an NTM be increased or decreased in the images below?Slide8

Increasing and decreasing the effect of NTMs

Agonist

:

A drug (or poison) increases activity of a NTM. How?

Mimics shape

Prevents reuptake by pre-synaptic neuron

Blocks enzymes that break down NTM in synapse

Antagonist

:

A drug (or poison) that reduces NTM activity

Blocks release of NTM from its terminal button

Blocks receptor on post synaptic dendriteSlide9

Agonist or antagonist?

Botox blocks the release of

ACh

, which temporarily paralyzes facial muscles (and reduces wrinkles)

Pfizer just created a new drug improves mood by binding to serotonin receptors and stimulating an action potential

Synthesis inhibitors are chemicals that

slow down the creation of a neurotransmitter molecules

Prozac and other antidepressants are SSRI drugs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Black widow spider poison causes neurons to release ALL their

ACh

, depleting their supply. Then they have none, preventing the cell from functioning (causes death)Slide10

Different neurotransmitters do different things!

Acetylcholine (ACh)

:

NT that affects learning and memory (in the brain), and movement (in muscles)

Alzheimer’s patients have lower levels of ACh.

This American Life: A Trip Down Memory LaneSlide11

Botulinum

poison

:

An antagonist that blocks the release of

Ach, can paralyze diaphragm muscles

and stop breathing

Botox: Before and AfterSlide12

Curare

:

Antagonist for Ach, leads to paralysis.

S. American Indians use it for hunting.

Black widow spider poison

:

Ach agonist, causes flood of Ach, the

Ach runs out

S. American Indian HuntersSlide13

Dopamine:

Reward and motivation

Rewarding/pleasurable:

eating, drinking, sex

Motor control over voluntary

Low levels

 Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s treatments can cause

symptoms of schizophrenia

(losing touch with reality, hallucinations,

false beliefs, etc.)

Michael J Fox Interview

This American Life: SchizophreniaSlide14

Amphetamines and cocaine

:

Dopamine ____________

“High” arousal state followed by a crash

Other examples:

Painkillers, caffeine, nicotineSlide15

Serotonin:

Emotional states/mood, impulsiveness, sleep and dreaming

Norepinephrine

:

Alertness, higher mood level, focus and concentration

Low levels of these NTs are related to depression, sadness/anxiety, food cravings, and aggressive behavior.

Antidepressants are ____________ for them

, as well as drugs for eating disorders, OCD, and obesity.

Ex. Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft,

Cymbalta

,

Pristiq

, and

EffexorSlide16

GABA (gamma-

aminobutyric

acid):

the main

inhibitory

NT, keeps brain from getting too aroused/over-excited

Lowers arousal/anxiety and helps regulate movement

Antianxiety

drugs

(tranquilizers)

are ____________ for GABA

Glutamate:

the main

excitatory

NT, memory storage and pain perception

High levels can cause neuron death, low levels can cause coma

Glutamate may be linked to schizophreniaSlide17

Endorphins:

NT involved in pain relief and pleasure

Higher endorphins levels have been found in runners post-marathons and in women during childbirth

Morphine

and

heroin

mimic endorphins, and cause a release of dopamine

Is it linked to acupuncture?Slide18

Reading quiz

Which neurotransmitter is involved in

Muscle movement

Pleasure/reward

Mood

Sleep/dreams/hallucinations

An agonist/antagonist reduces the effect of neurotransmitters in the synapse (which one?)

Botulinum

toxin blocks the release of Ach. This makes it an agonist/antagonistSlide19

Drugs

Drugs are chemicals that interact with neurotransmitters

Agonistic or antagonistic mechanisms

Can be taken orally, inhaled, smoked, injected or through the skin

Illegal and therefore unregulated

Contaminated/diluted

DangerousSlide20

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005Slide21

Socratic Seminar Rules

Call people by name

Attack ideas not people

Yes, and… always add to a comment, it’s not enough to simply agree

3 before me. Give others a chance to speak

Don’t hog the mic

You will turn in your partner evaluation and be graded on how thoughtfully you assess your partner, plus your 2 homework questions. Slide22

Explore: Drugs of abuse

Due next class if not finished today

Watch 3 or 4 animations, your choice which ones.

Flow chart:

profile of a drug. Pick ONE.

Make a

graphic organizer/flowchart that

shows the following:

Names (include several) drug is known by

Context: typical place this drug is used, or typical person who uses it

Effects/sensations experienced

Risks/dangers

One statistic or historical anecdote about this drug (look up online)

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/abuse/Slide23

Choose 4 of the drugs on mouse party and see how they work internally, at the synapse. For each one, write the following:

1) Name of drug

2) Neurotransmitters it interacts with

3) Agonist or antagonist

4) Labeled diagram of the synapse, the drug, neurotransmitters and receptors.

5) Regions/circuits of the brain affected by this drug

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/mouse.html

Slide24

Meth – a life destroying drug

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-duk-PiIXo

– meth in the brain

www.methproject.org/

Click on the links under "get answers". Explore the site: read, watch the videos, play the games.  

Day in the life

of a meth addict.

Create

a profile of a person who’s addicted to meth. What is a typical day like for them?

Write a diary excerpt of a typical day from their perspective.

Finally, click the link on the right "view ads" to watch some of the famous television commercials produced by the meth project.

Don't

take meth! Slide25

10 ways drugs will ruin a date

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEht8tKKwVQ&list=PL8CD42150CBB6EFA8