LING 1200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Endorphins, Cortisol, Pineal Gland
13 May 2017
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Document Summary
A neuron either fires a message off to another neuron or doesn"t. One instance of a neuron firing does not differ in strength from another instance, but single neurons can send a stronger message by firing at a faster rate. Ex: looking at a dim light if increase brightness neuron will realize and fire at a faster rate vs. during dim light, neurons fire slow. Communication between neurons and from neurons to muscles and glands controls all thought and behaviour. Neurotransmitters are the chemical basis for this communication. Altering levels of neurotransmitters dramatically alters through and behaviour. Ex: low acetylcholine levels associated with alzheimer"s disease (profound memory loss) Ex: low dopamine levels associated with parkinson"s disease (impaired motor functioning) Low levels of a neurotransmitter could be the outcome of a disease rather than its cause (ex: low serotonin associated with depression) Relationship between brain functions and neurotransmitter is corrlational (be careful with cause and effect)
