Steps in Neural Communication

1. Steps in Neural Communication Action potential is generated and propagated to the axon terminals Ca++ enters the cell and causes neurotransmitter release into the synapse Neurotransmitter diffuses across the synapse and binds to its receptor on postsynaptic dendrites/cell body Receptor is an ion channel that opens to allow flow of ions (+ve, -ve) into the postsynaptic neuron Depolarization is sufficient to generate an action potential or inhibition

2. Steps in Neural Communication 5. Depolarization is sufficient to generate an action potential or inhibition Axon hillock Threshold (rest, -70 to ~-50 mV) Na channels open –Action potential! Propagated down the axon to the axon terminals

4. Types of Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Amino acids • Glutamate • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) • Aspartate • Glycine • Neuropeptides • Endorphins • Substance P • Neuropeptide Y • Monoamines • Catecholamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine (adrenaline) • Indolamines • Serotonin • Melatonin • Soluble gases • Nitric oxide • Carbon monoxide

5. Types of Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Amino acids • Glutamate • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) • Aspartate • Glycine • Neuropeptides • Endorphins • Substance P • Neuropeptide Y • Monoamines • Catecholamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine (adrenaline) • Indolamines • Serotonin • Melatonin • Soluble gases • Nitric oxide • Carbon monoxide

6. Types of Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Amino acids • Glutamate • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) • Aspartate • Glycine • Neuropeptides • Endorphins • Substance P • Neuropeptide Y • Monoamines • Catecholamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine (adrenaline) • Indolamines • Serotonin • Melatonin • Soluble gases • Nitric oxide • Carbon monoxide

7. Types of Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Amino acids • Glutamate • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) • Aspartate • Glycine • Neuropeptides • Endorphins • Substance P • Neuropeptide Y • Monoamines • Catecholamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine (adrenaline) • Indolamines • Serotonin • Melatonin • Soluble gases • Nitric oxide • Carbon monoxide

8. Types of Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Amino acids • Glutamate • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) • Aspartate • Glycine • Neuropeptides • Endorphins • Substance P • Neuropeptide Y • Monoamines • Catecholamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine (adrenaline) • Indolamines • Serotonin • Melatonin • Soluble gases • Nitric oxide • Carbon monoxide

9. Types of Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Amino acids • Glutamate • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) • Aspartate • Glycine • Neuropeptides • Endorphins • Substance P • Neuropeptide Y • Monoamines • Catecholamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine (adrenaline) • Indolamines • Serotonin • Melatonin • Soluble gases • Nitric oxide • Carbon monoxide

10. Types of Neurotransmitters • Acetylcholine • Amino acids • Glutamate • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) • Aspartate • Glycine • Neuropeptides • Endorphins • Substance P • Neuropeptide Y • Monoamines • Catecholamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine (adrenaline) • Indolamines • Serotonin • Melatonin • Soluble gases • Nitric oxide • Carbon monoxide

11. Schizophrenia Aberrant neurochemistry • Definition and symptoms • Genetic basis • Abnormalities in brain structure • Drug treatment • Hypotheses about underlying neurochemical abnormalities

12. Psychopathology Psychopathology is concerned with the nature and development of abnormal behavior, thoughts, and feelings. - Davison & Neale (1998)

13. Definitions and Symptoms • Characterized and named in early 1900s Kraepelin “…in dementia praecox, partial damage to, or destruction of, cells of the cerebral cortex must probably occur, which may be compensated for in some cases, but which mostly brings in its wake a singular, permanent impairment of the inner life.”

14. Definitions and Symptoms • Characterized and named in early 1900s Bleuler “If the disease is marked, the personality loses its unity… Often ideas are only partially worked out, and fragments of ideas are connected in an illogical way to constitute a new idea. Concepts lose their completeness…”

15. Definitions and Symptoms • Characterized and named in early 1900s • dissociative thinking • hallucinations • delusions • paranoia • diminished affect • impoverished speech • lack of motivation • social avoidance positive symptoms negative symptoms

16. Genetic basis? Family studies Adoption studies Twin studies Yes… And environmental

17. Genetic and Environmental Contribution to Schizophrenia “Stress-vulnerability” hypothesis Brain vulnerability + stressful life events Neurodevelopmental hypothesis Early insult during development

18. Brain structure abnormalities? • enlarged ventricles • cellular disarray • hypofrontality • loss of gray matter

19. Brain structure abnormalities? • enlarged ventricles • cellular disarray • hypofrontality • loss of gray matter

20. SCHIZOPHRENIC NORMAL Brain structure abnormalities? • enlarged ventricles • cellular disarray • hypofrontality • loss of gray matter

21. Brain structure abnormalities? • enlarged ventricles • cellular disarray • hypofrontality • loss of gray matter

22. Brain structure abnormalities? • enlarged ventricles • cellular disarray • hypofrontality • loss of gray matter