Transcript Drugs Alter Neurotransmission

Drugs Alter
Neurotransmission
A WEBQUEST designed by Mr. Patrick
M. MacLaughlin to supplement the NIH
Curriculum Supplement Series- The
Brain: Understanding Neurobiology
Through the Study of Addiction
Do All Neurotransmitters Have
the Same Effect?
•
The activity provided in the link below shows a demonstration of a
microelectrode recording the electrical activity of a neuron in the brain.
•
The action potentials are amplified, and then analyzed by a computer that
counts the number of spikes that occur during a period of time.
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The action potentials appear as vertical lines, or spikes, on the oscilloscope.
A signal is also sent to an audio amplifier that produces a click sound each
time an action potential is generated in the neuron. The more
frequently the spikes appear on the screen with accompanying
audible clicks, the more frequently the neuron is firing.
•
Click on the link below and follow the instructions.
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Neurotransmitter Actions
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Do All Neurotransmitters Have
the Same Effect?
After completing the activity, please answer the following questions:
1.
Why is saline applied to the resting neuron?
2.
When the neurotransmitter glutamate is applied to the neuron, how does its activity change?
3.
How does the application of the two neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, change the
activity of the neuron?
4.
Predict how the activity of the neuron would change if only GABA was applied to the neuron.
5.
Do all neurotransmitters affect a neuron in the same way?
6.
How would the application of glutamate to a neuron
change the amount of neurotransmitter that is
released from that neuron?
7.
How would the application of GABA to a neuron
change the amount of neurotransmitter that is released
from that neuron?
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Change in
Neurotransmission
Effect on Neurotransmitter
release or availability
Increase the number of
impulses
Increased neurotransmitter
release
Release neurotransmitter
from vesicles with or without
impulses
Increased neurotransmitter
release
Release more
neurotransmitter in
response to an impulse
Increase neurotransmitter
release
Block reuptake
More neurotransmitter
present in synaptic cleft
Produce less
neurotransmitter
Less neurotransmitter in
synaptic cleft
Prevent vesicles from
releasing neurotransmitter
Less neurotransmitter
released
Block receptor with another
molecule
No change in amount of
neurotransmitter released, or
neurotransmitter cannot bind to
it’s receptor on post-synaptic
neuron
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Drug that acts this way
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What Should the Doctor Do?
•
Click on the link below, and then answer the question that follows.
•
Pathways to the Brain
•
A teenage boy is brought into the hospital emergency room after a skateboarding
accident. He complains of pain in his left leg. The doctor orders an x-ray of his leg,
which reveals a fracture in the tibia. Before the doctor can set the fracture and put a
cast of the boy’s leg, he need to relieve the patients pain. The doctor prescribes
morphine.
•
Based on what you have learned about how drugs act in the body, how should
the morphine be given to the patient? Should the morphine be given as a(n):
–
–
–
Pill
Shot
Inhalant
Consider each alternative and explain why the doctor should choose one method
over another.
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