PSYC 355 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Curare, Methyl Group, Antipsychotic
Document Summary
Lecture 14 : neurochemistry 1 acetylcholine & dopamine. First two neurotransmitters ever were acetylcholine and norepinephrine (dopamine). Dale"s criteria gave birth to pharmacology b/c drugs should mimic or block the effects of the neurotransmitter. Mimic directly by binding to the postsynaptic receptor. Mimic indirectly by facilitating the release or blocking the metabolism (facilitate the action of the neurotransmitter). Ex: amphetamines promote the release of dopamine, can cause non stimulated release of dopamine on its own (speed lol). Nerve gases block cholinesterase so acetylcholine is kept on the synapse longer. Nerve gas in an indirect effect because it is not binding to the postsynaptic receptor. Block the receptor, thus blocking the action of the endogenous transmitter and/or pharmacological agonist. Direct beta blockers block the beta adrenergic receptor from noradrenaline to stimulate it. Bind to the postsynaptic receptor and instead of producing an effect on the postsynaptic receptor, it is just blocked.