GABA Receptors in Neurons
In the human body central nervous system, the most plentiful neuro-transmitters are the amino acids. Amino acids support the medical argument that the majority of the body's neurons in the human brain make use of either glutamate or aminobutyric acid (GABA) the primary neuro-transmitter. Therefore, underlying the brain's function (or dysfunction) is knowing that GABA and glutamate serve to regulate the volatility of nearly all neurons of the brain.
The most important neurotransmitter inhibitors in the human brain, as well as in the spinal cord, are GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glycine. These particular amino acids (i.e., inhibitory) are important in medical therapy as they mediate the actions of many neuropharmacological agents (drugs). Both the inhibitory and excitatory amino acids (neurotransmitters) can be either metabotropic or ionotropic in form. The ionotropic transmitters, through initiation, results in an enhanced membrane conductance while the metabortropic activation results in an increased intercellular second message level. What is important is in knowing that among the neurons of the human brain everything is mediated by what is called chemical messenger modules known as neurotransmitters that are released from one cell to another within the human body. Known as neurotransmission this process enables cellular modules to reach their target cell, binds it to the needed receptor, thus influencing the cell that has been reached. The most significant thing here is to remember that each neurotransmitter in the body can only act through its own aligned receptor even thought there might exist within a particular receptor several subclasses, each having different effect when interaction takes place. Three subtypes of recepters are influenced once GABA is released from the human cell, namely GABAA, GABAB, and GABAC. The other human body transmitter modules include acetylcholine, seratonin, aspartate, histamine epinephrine, norpinrphrine, dopamine, adenosine, ATP and nitric oxide.
Neurobiology of Rohypnol Rohypnol, which is commonly known as Flunitrazepam, is a kind of benzodiazepine i.e. a category of drugs that slows down the central nervous system. Given its ability to depress the central nervous system, this drug was developed as a sleeping aid, which has partly contributed to its use in therapy for helping patients relax and talk. Notably, the drug is relatively cheap and has largely become popular among
The process of neuroadaptation There are two main processes that do contribute to the development of addiction as well as the reinforcement and the process of neuroadaptation. The process of reinforcement occurs when a rewarding stimulus such as alcohol or other drugs such as AOD causes induced euphoria. This could also be a relief from an unpleasant condition or state such as anxiety which usually increases the chances of a behavioral
psychopharmacology, the goal is to use drugs to improve brain function. This takes place via very specific actions within the brain. The drug may be administered in one of several ways, and its metabolism will vary based on many factors, making psychopharmacology a complicated medical issue. In addition, some people abuse substances known to have a psychopharmalogical effect. Both the appropriate and inappropriate use of these drugs can have
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDERPsychobiology and Neuroscience: Generalized Anxiety DisorderIntroductionFrom the onset, it would be prudent to note that from time to time, most people feel anxious about diverse events or occurrences in life. This is normal. However, it should be noted that when the said anxiety is persistent, exaggerated and/or excessive, then a person could be likely suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In the past, various interventions have been formulated
Clinical Depression Major depressions or unipolar depressions are some of the names by which the term Clinical depression is known, which is a type of depressive disorder. To explain, it is a condition that is to be diametrically observed, in the sense that the expert does not count on a patient's self-report but checks for indications of depression that can be noticed and recognized. (Schatzberg, 2002) Clinical depression is a
[Pedrazzoli et.al, 2004] While the above study discussed changes in levels of beta-adrenergic receptors, a research by Hip lide et.al studied the effects of REM deprivation on the binding changes among ?1-, ?2-, ?1- and ?2 adrenergic receptors in different regions of the brain. All the 91 rats used in the study were sleep deprived for 96 hours prior to the experiment. It was observed that the binding of [3H]