Question

Choose a chemical/drug of interest that effects synaptic transmission. Research this chemical online and then describe how this drug works in at least a half of a page. Is it a neurotransmitter antagonist/agonist? What type of neurons does it affect?

Answer 1

Ethanol or Alcohol is a chemical that effects the synaptic transmission.Neurons communicate with each other using signals from neurotransmitters by binding to proteins called receptors.There are a number of proteins involved in the synaptic transmission. The alcohol affects the concentration of these proteins and in turn affect synaptic transmission.One of these protein is Ligand-gated ion channels.These are receptors including nicotinic acetylcholine, serotonin3, GABA A and GlyR receptors.Allcohol affects the ability to release of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and it acts at the GABAA receptors. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is associated with the sedative effects of alcohol. It also increases dopamine which is responsible for all pleasurable activities.This changes in dopamine levels makes a person feeling great as it alters the dopaminerelease.It also alters opioid receptors that leads to β-endorphin release that modulates the perception of pain.It inhibits the postsynaptic NMDA excitatory glutamate receptors that contributes to sedation.Increased serotonin activity occurs relating to mood swings,depression andanxiety.Alcohol causes decreased nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.They are primary receptor in muscle that controls muscle contraction. Another neurotransmittor affected by alcohol is glutamate that results in slow down in brain activities.Alcohol is an agonist for GABA, serotonin, dopamine and the endorphins and is an antagonist for glutamate it reduces glutamate activity.The neurons that it affects is GABAergic neurons.Dopaminergic neurons of the are the main source of dopamine.presynaptic neuron that releases glutamate.Serotonin in Raphe Nuclei neurons.