10.) Explain effects of neurotransmitters on behavior.
EASY! There are only about four neurotransmitters you need to worry about, and the studies that crop up here can pretty much be used in any part of the BLOA and beyond.
But, don't forget, HORMONES AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS ARE DIFFERENT THINGS!!!!! ex. Hormone = Oxytocin, testosterone, cortisol. ex. Neurotransmitters = Serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, & acetylcoline
Don't forget, neurotransmitters don't act independently -> DON'T BE REDUCTIONIST
The Four Main Neurotransmitters you should know! (acronym SAND), their responsibilities, and the effects of a deficiency and excess of each
Studies to support the effects of these neurotransmitters:
Significance: Sensory deprivation triggers serotonin, which in turn plays a role in hallucinatory experiences
Significance: Acetylcholine plays a role in memory
But, don't forget, HORMONES AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS ARE DIFFERENT THINGS!!!!! ex. Hormone = Oxytocin, testosterone, cortisol. ex. Neurotransmitters = Serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, & acetylcoline
Don't forget, neurotransmitters don't act independently -> DON'T BE REDUCTIONIST
The Four Main Neurotransmitters you should know! (acronym SAND), their responsibilities, and the effects of a deficiency and excess of each
- Serotonin - mood, hunger, sleep & arousal (alertness) Deficiency = Depression Excess = Tremors/headaches
- Dopamine - movement, learning, attention, emotion Deficiency = Parkinsons disease Excess = Schizophrenia
- Noradrenaline - helps control alertness & arrousal Deficiency = Depressed mood Excess = ?
- Acetylcoline - muscle action, learning & memory Deficiency = Alzheimers Excess = Convulsions
Studies to support the effects of these neurotransmitters:
- For Serotonin - Kasamatsu & Hirai - Buddhist monks didn't eat, drink or speak and began having hallucinations after 72 hours
Significance: Sensory deprivation triggers serotonin, which in turn plays a role in hallucinatory experiences
- For Acetylcholine - Martinez & Kesner - Investigated the role of acetylcholine in memory
Significance: Acetylcholine plays a role in memory
- For neurotransmitters in general - Caspi - MAOA gene regulates neurotransmitters