Neurological Processes Research Paper

Neurological Processes Paper

Kimberly Balthaser

PSY 340

July 12, 2010

Dr. Tyra Ripley

Abstract

In this paper the author will analyze how neuro processes affect behavior and impact the field of biological psychology. The author will also address the role of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, synaptic transmission, and receptors in producing and regulatory behavior.

Biology is changed by psychology. The development of techniques which allow scientist to monitor the brain and it functions allows it to be possible to have a much clearer understanding of how the brain works. Post translational modification, which is a type of modification of proteins that has been shown to respond in many cell types during
periods of psychological depression or elation. It has been pointed out by scientist that hormones have as much a role in the activity of the mind and of the whole body. Brain mapping produces visual images of a person’s brain and the areas that show increase electrical currents and areas receiving increased oxygen being used. This shows what part of the brain is being used during a certain task when performed.

Synapses are junctions between the terminal buttons at the ends of the axonal branches of one neuron and the membrane of another (Carlson, 2007).
At a synapse, a neuron releases a chemical known as a neurotransmitter that excites or inhibits another cell (Kalat, 2004). Synapses can occur in one of three places: on dendrites, on the soma, and on other axons. It 's a form of communication between neurons. The messages are carried by neurotransmitters and then released be terminal buttons. Synapses are very critical for almost all aspects of
behavior.

Postsynaptic potentials can either be depolarizing (excitatory) or hyperpolarizing (inhibitory); note that the neurotransmitter does not determine the nature of this potential, but instead the type of ion channel they open (Carlson, 2007). There are four main types of neurotransmitter-dependent ion channels: sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium. These channels play a large part in producing biochemical and structural changes in the postsynaptic neuron. They determine the nature (either excitatory or inhibitory) of postsynaptic potential.

The presynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic membrane are located at the end of the terminal button and on the neuron that receives the message, respectively. Within these areas are synaptic vessels that hold many molecules of the neurotransmitter. Transport proteins fill vesicles with the neurotransmitter and then trafficking proteins are involved in the release of the neurotransmitter (Carlson, 2007). Because different neurotransmitters contribute to behavior in different ways, excessive or deficient transmission at a particular type of synapse can lead to abnormal behavior (Kalat, 2004).

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are released by and that affect nerve cells (Carlson, 2007). There are many neurotransmitter classifications, but research in chronic mental illness has narrowed the main categories down to peptides, amino acids and monoamines. Others include acetylcholine, purines, lipids, nucleosides and gases.

Although peptides could be distinguished somehow through the amino acid category, they are prominent in glandular and hormonal functions. The most common amino acids are glutamate, GABA and glycine (Carlson, 2007). The difference between these and the peptides are that amino acids make up peptides via peptide bonds (Carlson, 2007). Amino acids seem to be the transportation method of communication with the brain. Monoamines are generally the category that most people are familiar with. Monoamines are non-acidic neurotransmitters formed by a metabolic change in certain amino acids (Kalat, 2004). They include dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, melatonin and serotonin.

Dopamine affects movement, attention, and learning and is ultimately thought to be involved in the development of schizophrenia (Carlson, 2007). The brain produces many dopamine-like agents and once produced are reabsorbed by the cell that created it. Symptoms of schizophrenia are noticeable when dopamine reuptake is jeopardized. Although the dopamine/ADHD subject is controversial, ADHD is thought to be provoked by the release of too much dopamine, thus affecting attention. Drugs such as Ritalin block the dopamine reabsorption (Carlson, 2007). When people, whom do not have ADHD, take Ritalin they experience the opposite affect because their dopamine levels are now in excess. This creates in increase in awareness, lack of sleep, and manic-like symptoms. Illegal drugs also affect the process of dopamine by either preventing the dopamine reabsorption or reversing its process (Carlson, 2007). Dopamine regulates mood by the simple cycle of creation and reabsorption.

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are similar in that they exhibit the same process, but serves different biological purposes. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter far more important to the nervous system than epinephrine which is a hormone produced by a gland near the kidneys (Carlson, 2007). Behavior is affected when the brain receive too much or too little input from the epinephrine transmitters.

Serotonin affects certain aspects of behavior such as mood, anger and sexuality.
Low levels of serotonin are associated with illnesses such as bipolar, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and depressive disorders. The brain is in need of creation or reabsorption process in order to function correctly. When serotonin fails to be absorbed back into the cells, the mood is greatly affected. Drugs called SSRI 's are often prescribed to influence the reabsorption of serotonin. Not unlike the effect of drugs on dopamine, drugs (such as LSD) can reverse the reuptake process of serotonin causing heightened mood and thought (Carlson, 2007). Many of the medications have side effects while taking the medication but usually will go away. The withdrawals can be a horrible experience when a person stops taking certain medications that is prescribed for these illnesses or disorders the side
effects.

In conclusion there is so much more to learn in this area with biological psychology. There are many unanswered question on the brain, how it works, the behaviors the individuals display, why it all works together and when it is not all working together what is the best way to handle the situation. The processes in the brain are complex, and with each individual each one is different and will require an individual plan for medication, treatment, and therapy if needed. Research continues to progress in this area of biology with much success but still has much more to understand and discover because the field of biopsychology is now being accepted as a field with a need to help other. Maybe one day there will be an answer for all questions in the field of biopsychology.

References

Carlson, R.A. (2007). In W.D. Gray (Ed.), Integrated models of cognitive systems, New York:

Oxford University Press.

Kalat, J.W. (2004). Biological Psychology, Belmont, California, Watsworth