Neuroscience Paradigm

Things to know

• Structure and function of neuron

• Key neurotransmitters

• Key structures and function of the brain

• Neuroendocrine system/HPA axis

• Basics of psychoneuroimmunology
Structure and Function of Neurons
 Key Neurotransmitters

• Acetylcholine (ACh)

• GABA

• Dopamine

• Serotonin

• Norepinephrine
 Acetylcholine (ACh)
• First NT discovered
• 1913 and later confirmed in 1933

• Only NT between motor neurons and voluntary muscles

• Contributes to attention, arousal and possibly memory

 GABA
• Produces only inhibitory responses
• Contributes to:
• Regulation of anxiety
• Regulation of sleep
 Dopamine
• Controls voluntary movements in brain neurons
• Deficiency leads to Parkinson’s

• Main neurotransmitter in the pleasure/reward system

• Over activation may be involved with Schizophrenia

John F. Nash
Nobel Prize Winning
Mathematician
 Serotonin
• Plays a role in sleep, wakefulness and eating
behavior
• Important role in mood
• Anti-depressants increase extra-cellular levels of
serotonin
How Drugs Work
• Chemical substances may
bind to NTs receptor sites by
“fooling” them into thinking
that they are the NT
 How Drugs Work
• Agonist
• A chemical that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter
• Binds to receptor and has similar effects of NT
• Nicotine acts as an ACh agonist

• Antagonist
• A chemical that opposes the action of a NT
• Binds to receptor and blocks effects of NT
• Haldol, an antipsychotic medication, acts as a dopamine
antagonist.
 The Brain
1. Hindbrain
• Cerebellum
• Medulla
• Pons
2. Midbrain

3. Forebrain
• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
• Limbic system
• Cerebrum
 The Hindbrain

• Cerebellum: “little brain”

• Coordination, equilibrium,
balance

• Medulla: essential
unconscious functions
• Pons: some aspects of
sleep and arousal
The Midbrain and Reticular Formation

• Midbrain: Integrates
sensory processes
• Reticular formation:
• Muscle reflexes, breathing &
pain perception
 The Forebrain
• Largest structure in the
brain.

• Includes:
1)Thalamus
2) Hypothalamus
3) Limbic System
4) Cerebrum
 Thalamus: The Way Station
• Relays and integrates all sensory information, except
smell, to cerebral cortex.
 Hypothalamus

• Regulates basic biological needs

Limbic System: Center of Emotions

• Includes:
• Parts of thalamus &
hypothalamus
• Hippocampus: memory
• Amygdala: learned fear

• Limbic System also

contains pleasure
centers
Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex
• Occipital: visual processing
• Primary Visual Cortex

• Parietal: sense of touch

• Primary Somatosensory Cortex

• Temporal: auditory processing

• Primary Auditory Cortex

• Frontal: directs thought processes

• Prefrontal Cortex- reasoning,
decision making
 Dopamine- The Reward
Pathway
• Here’s what I would know:
• Axons in Midbrain---------------> The portion of this
pathway between the
• Medial forebrain bundle--------> midbrain and NA is most
• Nucleus accumbens--------------> important
• Prefrontal cortex.
• This pathway is called the mesolimbic dopamine
pathway.
• Increased dopamine activity in this pathway is believed
to be responsible for reinforcing the effects of many
abused drugs.
Mesolimbic Dopamine
Pathway
Cocaine binding sites
Reuptake Pump

Dop Receptor
Receptor