PSYC 117 Lecture 6: PSYC 117- Nicotine and the Nervous System
Document Summary
Nicotine and the nervous system: nicotine activates a subtype of acetylcholine (ach) receptors, all nt receptors have subtypes, subtypes sometimes define based on what activates them besides the original receptor. Two types of ach receptors: nicotinic receptor, activated by either ach or nicotine, found in peripheral nervous system and central nervous system, muscarinic receptor, activated by either ach or muscarine, found in cns. Nicotine is an agonist at nicotinic ach receptors. In the pns, nicotine: causes adrenal medulla to release norepinephrine and epinephrine, sympathomimetic effects: psychostimulants including cocaine, amphetamine, nicotine, produce effects similar to the sympathetic nervous system, activates receptors at the neuromuscular junction, muscle tremor. In the cns, nicotine activates presynaptic axo-axonic receptors: common way to classify receptors based on where they lie.
