BRAIN BASICS Psychoactive Drugs alter how our brain processes information and, thus, can change our perceptions, emotions, thinking, and consciousness. Drugs work by mimicking or blocking neurotransmitter action SEROTONIN MOLECULE PSILOCYBIN LSDI. NEURONS A). Structures of Neurons: 1. Dendrites: 2. Soma: 3. Axon: 4. Axon Terminal: B). Information Processing Neurons communicate via electrical & chemical means 1. Electrical: Within a Neuron - Resting Potential - Action Potential 2. Chemical: Between Neurons -Release Of Neurotransmitter -Effect on Next Neuron Action Potential Graphics http://outreach.mcb.harvard.edu/animations/actionpotential.swf Synaptic Transmission http://outreach.mcb.harvard.edu/animations/synaptic.swfII. SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION A). Parts of the Synapse 1. Pre-synaptic Terminal 2. Synaptic Cleft 3. Post-synaptic ReceptorB). Neurotransmitters 1. Amino Acids -GABA -Glutamate: NMDA receptor 2. Monoamines -Serotonin -Norepinephrine -Dopamine 3. Peptides -Endorphins C). How Drugs Affect Steps in Neurotransmission Agonist vs. Antagonist Actions 1. Synthesis 2. Conduction down axon 3. Release from terminal 4. Binding to receptor5. Termination of action -enzymes vs. re-uptake(
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