Psych 202 1st Edition Lecture 16 Current Lecture Biopsych Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and SSRI s both are agonists of Serotonin but have different mechanisms of action See figure 3 15 for review Neurotransmitters and Psychological Function Neurotransmitters Acetylcholine Ach Links Motor Neurons and Muscles synapse at muscle Slide 35 image o In peripheral NS Curare is Ach antagonist leading to temporary muscle paralysis Ach is involved in Learning and Memory in CNS Alzheimer s Patients Have Low Levels of Ach o Correlation between two things is there causation Video Example This Experiment by Joseph Martinez explores the causal relationships between CNS Acetylcholine Processes and Learning and Memory Processes consolidation of learning Be sure to take detailed notes to be able to reconstruct the specific details of the experiment Analysis Reconstruction of Martinez Experiment From Video These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute o Operational IV is there a causal relationship between ACH processes and learning and memory processes o Manipulated drug called Scopolomine A Scopolomine action Ach Antagonist vs Saline Question Why the saline injection o Experimental amnesia theoretical conclusion o Implied Physostygmine ACH Agonist Could be Another Level of IV Physotygmine inhibits the enzymatic catabolism of ACH o How might subjects and experimenters have been blind o What is the operational DV o Time to find food measured What is the theoretical DV inferred A Memory as a function of biochemical variables o More time is somehow associated with memory Results and Conclusions Scopolomine caused blockade of ACH receptors post synaptically Caused the antagonism of ACH reception via blocking of ACH receptors resulting in animals taking more time to find food which was interpreted as being a sign of memory impairment lack of consolidation Perhaps it is reasonable to conclude that a high level of ACH is necessary for learning and memory Experimental amnesia Physostygmine caused inhibition of ACH esterase from catabolizing ACH from breaking it down preventing enzymatic deactivation of ACH or at least inhibits is Animal finding food more quickly Suggesting memory enhancement Higher levels of ACH were better for memory and encoding and be very useful in preventing Alzheimer s potentially Neurotransmitters Dopamine DA o Involved in muscular activity o In Parkinson s Disease tracts of DA neurons degenerate in Basal Ganglia leading to abnormally low levels in brain o Motor processes Excesses involved in Schizophrenia Antipsychotic Medications are DA antagonists interfering with DA at post synaptic receptors DA Tracts project widely through areas of brain limbic system and cortical structures dealing with emotion motivation and thinking planning judgment language Neurotransmitters Norephinephrine NE o Increases Arousal o Increased levels may be involved in Mania o Decreased levels may be involved in Depression o Tricyclic antidepressant medications inhibit reuptake thus functioning as NE agonists Neurotransmitters Serotonin 5 HT o Involved in sleep wakefulness rhythms o Massively depleted by Ecstasy terminal buttons often destroyed o Decreased Levels may lead to depression o Reuptake Inhibited by SSRI Prozac Fluoxetine o Prozac is in a class of drugs called SSRI s Selective Serotonergic Reuptake Inhibitors all of which are 5 HT agonists Neurotransmitters Gamma Aminobutyric Acid GABA like alcohol o Lowers arousal o Reduces anxiety o GABA is the main inhibitory NT in nervous system Conclusion o All Psychological Functions behavioral motor activation attention anxiety mood thought speech consciousness intentionality and impulsivity etc are supported and regulated by complex interactions between the CNS and PSN with diverse types of CNS neurotransmitters playing a central and critical role in our psychological existence identity and experience of the world o The machinery of mind underlies psychological realities o What is a neuron and how does it operate Biological Psychology II Brain Structure and Function Overview and Goals o Review Major Structures o Indicate How Structures Relate to Functions o Review Methods Leading to this Knowledge o Examine Split Brain Research o Examine How Brain is Affected by Mother s Touch In Following Slides we go from the Spine Up to the Cortex Overview of all areas and their interrelations Brainstem Arises out of spinal cord engages with tissues called reticular formation associated with attention and sleep and wakefulness many serotonin neurons Brainstem o Inner Core of Brain Regulates Life Support medulla has a lot to do with control of vital involuntary functions like heart beating o o Rests Atop and Connects to Spinal Cord Contains Medulla Vital Involuntary Functions Pons Reticular Formation Sleep Arousal Attention o Attaches to Cerebellum Balance Movement Part of brain stem Fine motor movements Music athletics utilizing movements in cerebellum Limbic System aka reptilian brain either eat it run away from it sex o Above Brainstem Surrounded by Cortex o Critical to Motivation Emotion Memory o Contains Thalamus Sensory Relay Station Amygdala Aggression and Fear Anxiety Center slide 12 Hippocampus Memory Formation Basal Ganglia movement and via nucleus accumbens reward Hypothalamus Regulates Temperature Hunger Activity of ANS hormone release via pituitary site of pleasure center Can get anorexic obese eating regulations Four Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex o Frontal in the front o Temporal to the sides o Parietal above temporal lobe and behind the frontal lobe o Occipital back of head visual images begin here Note Specialization and Localization of Functions in Cerebral Cortex o Functions are represented in specific brain areas as follows Motor Cortex Behind frontal lobe Connected to somatosensory cortex which is in parietal lobe