U3 Topic 3: Neurotransmitters/Neuromodulators
- Neurotransmitters
- - Neurotransmitters are chemical substances produced by neurons that carry messages to other neurons
- Neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal button of the presynaptic neuron, and uptaken by receptors on dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron
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<- Here we can see a visual demonstrating the release of neurotransmitters
- A neurotransmitter can have either an excitatory effect, or an inhibitory effect. The effect a neurotransmitter has depends on the properties of the receptor its accepted by, and the receptors location in the brain
- Neurotransmitters with excitatory effects will make the postsynaptic neuron MORE likely to fire
- Neurotransmitters with inhibitory effects will make the postsynaptic neuron LESS likely to fire
Glutamate- Lets look now at glutamate, an example of a neurotransmitter with excitatory effects. It is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, and thus will enhance the transmission of information in the brain
- When a neural pathway associated with a certain experience is activated, glutamate is released. Its excitatory effects promote the growth and strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons in this pathway. This strengthening of a neural pathway is referred to as Long-Term Potentiation, which will be discussed later
- Too much glutamate can damage the neuron, and too little glutamate can result in poor communication. The right amount of glutamate is needed in the right place for the right amount of time for maximum efficacy
- Neurotransmitters are chemical substances produced by neurons that carry messages to other neurons
- Neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal button of the presynaptic neuron, and uptaken by receptors on dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron
- <- Here we can see a visual demonstrating the release of neurotransmitters
<- Here we can see a visual demonstrating the release of neurotransmitters- A neurotransmitter can have either an excitatory effect, or an inhibitory effect. The effect a neurotransmitter has depends on the properties of the receptor its accepted by, and the receptors location in the brain
- Neurotransmitters with excitatory effects will make the postsynaptic neuron MORE likely to fire
- Neurotransmitters with inhibitory effects will make the postsynaptic neuron LESS likely to fire
Glutamate
- Lets look now at glutamate, an example of a neurotransmitter with excitatory effects. It is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, and thus will enhance the transmission of information in the brain
- When a neural pathway associated with a certain experience is activated, glutamate is released. Its excitatory effects promote the growth and strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons in this pathway. This strengthening of a neural pathway is referred to as Long-Term Potentiation, which will be discussed later
- Too much glutamate can damage the neuron, and too little glutamate can result in poor communication. The right amount of glutamate is needed in the right place for the right amount of time for maximum efficacy