Introduction to Neuroscience &
Pharmacology
Neurotransmitters
Taken from:
1) Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience, Second Edition
Eric Nestler, Steven Hyman, Robert Malenka
Chapters 5 & 6
, Learning outcomes
After this session you should know:
1. Which neurotransmitters are expressed in the
CNS
2. Which receptors they mediate their action
through
3. Which particular brain regions selectively
express particular types of neurotransmitters
4. The names of drugs which modulate these
classes of neurotransmitter-receptor systems
, Neuronal communication
Ø For optimal brain function, neurons need to communicate with
one another. They do this using:
1. Electrical signals
2. Chemical signals
Ø These signals can result in either:
1. excitation or
2. Inhibition of neuronal activity
In the next lectures, we will deal with brain chemicals which are
stored in axon terminals or synapses
These chemicals are called NEUROTRANSMITTERS
è THEY TRANSMIT THE SIGNALS OF NEURONS
, Classification of chemicals as
Neurotransmitters
Many chemicals are produced by neurons.
Not all are neurotransmitters. To be
considered as a neurotransmitter, the
chemical needs to fall into all three criteria:
1. Be synthesised and stored (generally in
synaptic vesicles) in presynaptic neuron
2. Be released by presynaptic axon terminal
3. Produce responses in postsynaptic cell
ØThey function at the synapse
Pharmacology
Neurotransmitters
Taken from:
1) Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience, Second Edition
Eric Nestler, Steven Hyman, Robert Malenka
Chapters 5 & 6
, Learning outcomes
After this session you should know:
1. Which neurotransmitters are expressed in the
CNS
2. Which receptors they mediate their action
through
3. Which particular brain regions selectively
express particular types of neurotransmitters
4. The names of drugs which modulate these
classes of neurotransmitter-receptor systems
, Neuronal communication
Ø For optimal brain function, neurons need to communicate with
one another. They do this using:
1. Electrical signals
2. Chemical signals
Ø These signals can result in either:
1. excitation or
2. Inhibition of neuronal activity
In the next lectures, we will deal with brain chemicals which are
stored in axon terminals or synapses
These chemicals are called NEUROTRANSMITTERS
è THEY TRANSMIT THE SIGNALS OF NEURONS
, Classification of chemicals as
Neurotransmitters
Many chemicals are produced by neurons.
Not all are neurotransmitters. To be
considered as a neurotransmitter, the
chemical needs to fall into all three criteria:
1. Be synthesised and stored (generally in
synaptic vesicles) in presynaptic neuron
2. Be released by presynaptic axon terminal
3. Produce responses in postsynaptic cell
ØThey function at the synapse
