Neurotransmitters: Location and Function

Neurotransmitters are the targets of psychopharmacological interventions. They have unique properties and functions but also significant overlap in their effects on mood and behavior. In order to understand the topics in the rest of the course, we first need to understand how these neurotransmitters function. Using this week’s readings, develop an understanding of each of the main neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine), as well as the secondary neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA, glutamate, and endocannabinoids). Pay particular attention to how they influence each other, either by their co-activation or by one modulating the activity of another, as this will help explain the mechanisms of action of the drugs that are covered later in the course.

Post by Day 4 an analysis of the brain locations, structures, and functions involved in the psychopharmacology of dopamine, serotonin, and norephinephrine.

Readings

• Advokat, C. D., & Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. (2019). Julien’s primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (14th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers/Macmillan.
  • Chapter 2, “The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters” (pp. 39-68)

• Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified (1st ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
  • Chapter 1, “Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology” (pp. 1–20)
    Note: Read first as a refresher. The Licthblau text is intended as a general refresher in biopsychology and pharmacology. Please refer to it as needed throughout the course.
• Hancock, S. D, & McKim, W. A. (2018). Drugs and behavior: An introduction to behavioral pharmacology (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
  • Chapter 4, “Neurophysiology, Neurotransmitters, and the Nervous System” (pp. 50-84)

• Kenemans, J. L., & Kähkönen, S. (2011). How human electrophysiology informs psychopharmacology: From bottom-up driven processing to top-down control. Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(1), 26–51.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Murnane, K. S., & Howell, L. L. (2011). Neuroimaging and drug taking in primates. Psychopharmacology, 216(2), 153–171.
• Warbrick, T., Mobascher, A., Brinkmeyer, J., Musso, F., Stoecker, T., Shah, N. J., Vossel, S., & Winterer, G. (2011). Direction and magnitude of nicotine effects on the fMRI BOLD response are related to nicotine effects on behavioral performance. Psychopharmacology, 215(2): 333–344.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Media

• Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child (Producer). (n.d.). Serve & return interaction shapes brain circuitry [Part 2]. Three core concepts in early development [Video file]. Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/multimedia/videos/three_core_concepts/serve_and_return
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2013). Exploring the human brain [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu. (PSYC 8741/PSYC 8741P)