March 23, 2018
Neurobiology and pharmacology of schizophrenia
≈ Neurotransmitters:
– Discovered by Otto Loewi (1921): Frog heart chambers - Electric stimulation of
heart 1, stimulated heart 2 as well- basic of neurotransmission
– Criteria for a Neurotransmitter:
● Must be produced within a neuron
● Must be found within a neuron
● When stimulated (depolarized), must release the chemical
● When a chemical is released, it must act on a post-synaptic receptor and cause
a biological effect
● After chemical is released, it must be inactivated. Inactivation can be through
a reuptake mechanism or by an enzyme that stops the action of the chemical
● If the chemical is applied on the post-synaptic membrane, it should have the
same effect as when it is released by a neuron
≈ Classes of Neurotransmitters:
excitatory
inhibitory
Memory,
sweating
mood, sociability, control of
thermo responses,
impulsivity
reward center arousal, sleep, fight/flight response, associated
associated with ADD with depression
(underactive)
Neurobiology and pharmacology of schizophrenia
≈ Neurotransmitters:
– Discovered by Otto Loewi (1921): Frog heart chambers - Electric stimulation of
heart 1, stimulated heart 2 as well- basic of neurotransmission
– Criteria for a Neurotransmitter:
● Must be produced within a neuron
● Must be found within a neuron
● When stimulated (depolarized), must release the chemical
● When a chemical is released, it must act on a post-synaptic receptor and cause
a biological effect
● After chemical is released, it must be inactivated. Inactivation can be through
a reuptake mechanism or by an enzyme that stops the action of the chemical
● If the chemical is applied on the post-synaptic membrane, it should have the
same effect as when it is released by a neuron
≈ Classes of Neurotransmitters:
excitatory
inhibitory
Memory,
sweating
mood, sociability, control of
thermo responses,
impulsivity
reward center arousal, sleep, fight/flight response, associated
associated with ADD with depression
(underactive)
