Neurotransmitters

Question 1

A patient presents with motor deficits. Based on their history, you suspect they have Parkinson’s disease. What dopamine neurons have likely been lost in this patient?

Answer 1

Substantia nigra dopamine neurons

Question 2

Norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and histamine are all examples of what class of neurotransmitter?

Answer 2

Biogenic amines / monoamines

Question 3

What neurotransmitter receptor plays a role in synaptic plasticity and memory?

Answer 3

NMDA receptors

Question 4

This purine receptor plays a role in mechanosensation and pain.

Answer 4

P2X - ionotrophic

Question 5

What is the function of GABA as a neurotransmitter?

Answer 5

Inhibitory in the brain

Question 6

What is the function of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway?

Answer 6

Motor

Question 7

What enzyme converts glutamine to glutamate in the pre-synaptic neuron?

Answer 7

Glutaminase

Question 8

What type of Ach receptors are most common in the brain?

Answer 8

Muscarinic

Question 9

Endocannabinoids can bind the pre-synaptic neuron via retrograde signaling. What is this effect?

Answer 9

They can affect the release of neurotransmitter from the pre-synaptic neuron.

Question 10

How are catecholamines mostly cleared from the synaptic cleft?

Answer 10

Reuptake into the pre-synaptic neuron. Remainder is broken down by the liver.

Question 11

What enzyme is responsible for converting norepinephrine to epinephrine?

Answer 11

PNMT

Question 12

CNS neurotransmitters, such as Ach and NE, are located where?

Answer 12

Locus coeruleus

Question 13

What neurotrophin is responsible for decreasing axonal growth and dendritic complexity?

Answer 13

p75

Question 14

What dopamine pathway controls prolactin release?

Answer 14

Tuboinfundibular

Question 15

Catecholamines are generated from what molecule?

Answer 15

Tyrosine

Question 16

This dopamine pathway plays a role in reward & pleasure.

Answer 16

Mesolimbic

Question 17

True/False. Myasthenia gravis is caused by decreased Ach release.

Answer 17

False. Ach release is normal, however immune cells target and destroy Ach receptors. As such, less receptors are available for Ach binding.

Question 18

What is an example of a metabotropic purine receptor and its function?

Answer 18

A2A - increases GABA release to facilitate arousal

Question 19

What receptors are targetted by muscle relaxants?

Answer 19

GABA(B)

Question 20

These receptors activate G-coupled receptors and have longer-lasting effects.

Answer 20

Metabotrophic

Question 21

How does an AMDA receptor differ from an NMDA receptor?

Answer 21

An AMDA receptor only allows entry of Na+. The NMDA receptor allows entry of Na+ & Ca+, but is blocked by Mg+. Two action potentials are required to displace the Mg+ and open the channel.

Question 22

Describe the effects of low and high serotonin levels.

Answer 22

Low serotonin - depression, suicidal ideation, violence

High serotonin - mania, aggressive behavior

Question 23

What is the first brain structure damaged during Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 23

Basal forebrain - motor problems likely present before memory loss and behavior change

Question 24

Where is serotonin produced?

Answer 24

Raphe nuclei

Question 25

All dopamine receptors are metabotropic. Which receptors are inhibitory?

Answer 25

D2, D3, D4

Question 26

Orexins play a role in the sleep/wake cycle. Where are they released from?

Answer 26

Lateral hypothalamus

Question 27

What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter for the spinal cord?

Answer 27

Glycine

Question 28

What molecule is used to derive serotonin?

Answer 28

Tryptophan

Question 29

What is the effect of ATP on glutamate release from the pre-synaptic neuron?

Answer 29

ATP inhibits glutamate release. Dopamine can stimulate an astrocyte to release ATP.

Question 30

What common neurotransmitters are catecholamines?

Answer 30

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine

Question 31

All dopamine receptors are metabotropic. Which receptors are stimulatory?

Answer 31

D1 & D5

Question 32

Serotonin is reuptook via serotonin transporters. How does MDMA affect reuptake?

Answer 32

MDMA causes release of all serotonin into the synaptic cleft

Question 33

What histamine receptors are located in the brain to play a role in homeostasis, memory, and sleep/wake cycle?

Answer 33

H1, H2, & H3. H4 is located throughout the body and functions in immune response

Question 34

What types of receptors open ligand-gated ion channels?

Answer 34

Ionotrophic

Question 35

What dopamine pathway plays a role in behavior, cognition, and mood?

Answer 35

Mesocortical

Question 36

What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter for the CNS?

Answer 36

Glutamate