They cause smooth muscle contractility and inhibit neurotransmitters from being released from the pre-synaptic neurons. They prevent norepinephrine from being released from adrenergic neurons and acetylcholine from being released from cholinergic neurons. On pancreatic beta cells, they hinder insulin from being released.…
Anti-depressants and other drugs are the most common forms of treating depression. They work by boosting levels of insufficient neurotransmitters such as serotonin and nor-adrenaline. They will either reduce the amount of re-absorption or block the enzyme that is trying to break down neurotransmitters. Allowing to increase the amount of neurotransmitter available , so that neighbouring cells become excited.…
Amino acids are biologically organic compounds containing amine and carboxylic acid functional groups, usually along with a side-chain specific to each amino acid. The elements that are key of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. There are about 500 different kinds of amino acids found but we recognize 23 of the amino acids that are known, they are classified into three groups, essential semi-essential, and non-essential. Each amino acid has unique characteristics arising from the size, shape, solubility, and ionization properties of its R group. In the form of proteins, amino acids comprise the second-largest component of human muscles, cells and other tissues, water being first. Outside proteins, amino…
Neuroenhancing drugs which are filled with a mix of amphetamine salts are commonly prescribed for people who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are…
MSG or monosodium glutamate is a sodium salt of glutamic acid which can be naturally found in many common foods that are rich in protein content such as dairy products, meat, vegetable and mother’s milk. In fact, our own bodies do produce glutamic acid via Krebs cycle during metabolizing food. Glutamate is the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acid (Ninomiya, 1998) and it is a very common part of our diet. In the food industry, MSG is widely used as a flavor enhancer. It is responsible for cranking up the sensational umami flavors on our tongue to make bland food taste delicious. Umami can be described as a savory flavor and was named after the Japanese word “Umai” which means delicious (Ikeda, 2002). MSG was first discovered in 1908 by biochemist Kikunae Ikeda, the Japanese man who identified the natural flavor enhancing substance in seaweed. Today, MSG is added to recipe of many fast food and junk food to make them taste more wonderful. MSG is also used as a food additive in most soup, canned food, frozen dinner and crackers.…
Alzheimer’s is caused by broken signals within the brain leading to the death of brain cells, this can also lead to a shortage of some important chemicals, these chemicals control the transmitting of messages to the brain.…
An example is anti-anxiety drugs which treat phobias by reducing anxiety levels. Benzodiazeopines (BZs) slow down the activity of the central nervous system by enhancing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that has a general quieting effect on many of the neurons in the brain. It does this by locking into GABA receptors on the outside receiving neurons, which opens a channel to increase the flow of chloride ions into the neuron. Chloride ions make it harder for the neuron to be stimulated by other neurotransmitters, thus slowing down its activity and making the person feel more relaxed.…
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common causes of dementia. The term 'dementia' describes a set of symptoms, which can include memory loss, changes in mood and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when certain diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, damage the brain. Alzheimer's disease could be described as a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease, protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer's may also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain.…
1.3The abilities and limitations affect the way information is processed in many ways. The chemical Dopamine controls the flow of information from other areas of the brain, particularly memory and attention and an imbalance will cause information to not flow correctly. Serotonin has an effect on mood, anxiety and depression, and so it is expected that an individual with dementia will have difficulty in those three areas, for example erratic mood swings and the inability to maintain a constant mood, well-being or self-esteem. Acetylcholine control the activity of the brain that connect with attention, learning and memory – Alzheimer’s sufferers experience major difficulty with these areas due to having a low level of ACh in their brain. Glutamate makes the links between neurons that are the centre of learning and long-term memory, without it or a decreased amount of it, the neurons are unable to transmit information properly. Also in addition, people with dementia with neuron damage on the right side of the brain experience great difficulty putting information together…
Kalivas, P. W., and N. D. Volkow. "New Medications For Drug Addiction Hiding In Glutamatergic Neuroplasticity." Molecular Psychiatry 16.10 (2011): 974-986. EBSCO MegaFILE. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.…
People with Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain”.…
Grossman and Porth (2014), states that neurochemical changes in the brain are effected by Alzheimer’s disease and are the main cause of memory loss. Particularly, the level of choline acetyltransferase activity in the cortex and hippocampus is decreased. This is an enzyme that is required in order for acetylcholine (a memory neurotransmitter) to be synthesized, making the decrease in choline acetyltransferase enzymes quantitatively related to a large number of neuritic plaques (Grossman & Porth, 2014). According to the Alzheimer’s Association (n.d.b), the cortex shrivels up damaging the areas involved with thinking, planning, and remembering; the hippocampus (part of the cortex) also shrinks, which plays an imperative role in the formation of new memories.…
Since the 1960s, psychedelic drugs have been illegal. A wave swept through the United States during the sixties causing a shift in personal views and values. During this period, many people abused psychedelic drugs giving the substances a bad reputation. In order to prevent the spread of the psychedelic movement, psychedelic drugs were made illegal in the United States, as well as in other countries. Although the growing popularity and usage of the substances had ruined the reputation as a medicine, scientists had been studying the effects at that time and the laws put in place had prevented further research. Many of these researchers saw great potential in these substances, and until recently, were not allowed to run any trials or experiments.…
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized as a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. It is irreversible and it slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to perform simple tasks. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and over five million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s. There are many symptoms within each category of Alzheimer’s. In mild Alzheimer’s disease, where Alzheimer’s is usually diagnosed, the person presents with memory loss and other problems such as behavior changes, losing things, repeating questions, getting lost, and taking longer to complete activities of daily living. In the next category, moderate Alzheimer’s…
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It's the most common cause of dementia a group of brain disorders that results in the loss of intellectual and social skills. These changes are severe enough to interfere with day-to-day life. In Alzheimer's disease, the connections between brain cells and the brain cells themselves degenerate and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function. Current Alzheimer's disease medications and management strategies may temporarily improve symptoms. This can sometimes help people with Alzheimer's disease maximize function and maintain independence. But because there's no cure for Alzheimer's disease, it's important to seek supportive services and tap into your support network as early as possible.…