PS268 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Reuptake, Locus Coeruleus, Nucleus Accumbens
Norepinephrine:
-pathways arising from locus ceruleus in brain stem have numerous branches and project
both up and down in brain, releasing norepinephrine and influencing level of
arousal/attentiveness
-through these pathways, stimulant drugs induce wakefulness
Serotonin:
-pathways containing serotonin arise from brain stem raphe nuclei and project both upward
into brain and downward into spinal cord
-plays role in complex control of food intake and regulation of body weight
-diet drug Sibutramine causes weight reducing effects by blocking reuptake of serotonin and
norepinephrine
-low levels of serotonin associated w aggression and impulsivity and excessive alcohol
consumption
-SSRIs inhibit serotonin uptake (ex Prozac) and treat depression
-hallucinogenic drugs like LSD work by influencing serotonin pathways
GABA (y-amino butyric acid):
-not neatly organized into discrete pathways or bundles
-found in most areas of CNS
-exerts generalized inhibitory functions
-many sedative drugs enhance GABA inhibition
Document Summary
Pathways arising from locus ceruleus in brain stem have numerous branches and project both up and down in brain, releasing norepinephrine and influencing level of arousal/attentiveness. Pathways containing serotonin arise from brain stem raphe nuclei and project both upward into brain and downward into spinal cord. Plays role in complex control of food intake and regulation of body weight. Diet drug sibutramine causes weight reducing effects by blocking reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Low levels of serotonin associated w aggression and impulsivity and excessive alcohol consumption. Ssris inhibit serotonin uptake (ex prozac) and treat depression. Hallucinogenic drugs like lsd work by influencing serotonin pathways. Not neatly organized into discrete pathways or bundles. Interfering w normal gaba inhibition can lead to violent seizures. Found throughout brain like gaba and nearly all neurons have receptors activated by it. Stimulation of receptors makes cells more excitable (opposite of gaba)
