PSYCH 2NF3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Propyl Group, Hydroxy Group, Nmda Receptor
30 Nov 2018
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Lecture 4: chemical structure of alcohol chemical structure of 3 common forms of alcohol: **ethanol is only one type of alcohol** Under normal conditions, a balance exists between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain. Acute" effects in a current session of drinking. Chronic" effects long term exposure to drinking: glutamate. Acute use: alcohol inhibits glutamate transmission by reducing the effectiveness of glutamate at the nmda receptor. Chronic: repeated use of alcohol leads to a neuro-adaptive increase in the number of. Nmda receptors (up-regulation) in response to reduced glutamate activity (these receptors increase) Withdrawal: can be increased glutamate activity (seen in study with animals: hyper excitability" (action potentials in excess) can cause cell death, gaba. Acute: gaba increases through a cl influx resulting in hyperpolarization (likelihood of action potential occurring is low aka inhibition) Chronic: opposite starts to happen gaba decreases, dopamine. Acute: increase in dopamine in mesolimbic tract (middle of the brain, an old system)
