Neurotransmitter Review

Jenny takes anti-anxiety meds. Her medication is likely increasing the availability of this neurotransmitter. Hint: this is the only inhibitory neurotransmitter.

• GABA

• Dopamine

• Serotonin

• good vibes

Answer explanation

Some anti anxiety meds increase the availability of GABA at receptor sites. They're not usually prescribed long term, as some have addictive side effects.

Match the neurotransmitter with its function: Serotonin

• Regulating mood, learning, and involuntary movement

• Regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and impulse control

• Regulating heart rate, body temp, and muscle movement

• Regulating overstimulation of neurons

Answer explanation

Serotonin is responsible for mood, sleep, appetite, and impulse control. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (like prozac) prescribed for variety of mental conditions keep serotonin available in the brain at receptor sites. Too little serotonin is historically associated with depression/anxiety.

The neurotransmitter known as "nature's painkiller" is:

Alex has a migraine. Which neurotransmitter might be associated with this?

• GABA

• Glutamate

• Acetylcholine

• Dendrites

Answer explanation

Too much glutamate is associated with overstimulation of neurons and possibly migraines/headaches. Think gluta-migraine ;)

Like dopamine, oversensitivity to this neurotransmitter is associated with schizophrenia

• GABA

• Endorphins

• Serotonin

• Norepinephrine

Answer explanation

Too much norepinephrine is associated with schizophrenia in some people (and too little is associated with depression)

Sawyer is listening to a very moving song. He notices that the hairs on his arms stand up. What is the name of this phenomenon and what neurotransmitter releases during it?

• Frisson/Dopamine

• Goosebumps/Dopamine

• Frisson/Serotonin

• Goosebumps/Serotonin

Answer explanation

Frisson is a dopamine response. It is a wave of feeling commonly caused by music or similar excitement like good news. It affects 50-60% of people. (Goosebumps on the other hand are usually caused by temperature.)

How many neurotransmitters can neurons react to?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

Neurons release/react to only one type of neurotransmitter.

A hippocampus lacking this neurotransmitter is associated with dementia/alzheimer's

• Glutamate

• Norepinephrine

• Acetylcholine

• Endorphins

Answer explanation

Too little acetylcholine in the hippocampus is associated with dementia/alzheimer’s.

think Acetylcholine--> Alzheimer's (both A's!)

Sarah runs everyday but decides to take the weekend off to see friends. Her friends notice that Sarah is quieter, tense, and anxious. What might be happening?

• She's missing GABA

• She's missing dopamine

• She's missing serotonin

• She's missing endorphins

Answer explanation

Sometimes when people who run a lot don’t run for a day they’re quieter, tense, and more anxious because they’re missing the endorphins they usually get from activity. (Remember endorphins are responsible for pain relief, pleasure, and contentment.)

This neurotransmitter is the only one that is not excitatory.

Answer explanation

GABA is inhibitory/shuts down firing.