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The nervous
system
NS: gathers and processes
information, produces responses
to stimuli, coordinates the
workings of different cells
CNS (brain + spinal cord):
receives, processes, interprets,
and stores incoming sensory
information (e.g. Taste, state of
internal organs)
PNS: deals with input and output
of CNS through sensory and
motor neurons.
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The nervous system
Millions of neurons in different sizes and
shapes organized in a network for
transmission of information.
Communication between neurons: electric
conduction and chemical transmission
A large concentration of neurons in the
brain and the spinal cord. 80% are found
in the brains Cerebral cortex
Neurons: basic structural unit of NS
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Structure of neurons
Cell body or nucleus (contains DNA)
Dendrites: information transmission
Axons: the cell body.
Terminal buttons: storage of
neurotransmitters.
Synaptic gap: between dendrites and
terminal buttons. Where neurotransmitters
pass information from neuron to neuron.
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Neuron
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Neuronal communication
Within neurons: Action potential
Between neurons: Synaptic transmission
of neurotransmitters

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Action potential
Electro-chemical messages
AP occurs when a neuron sends
information down an axon
AP caused by an exchange of Sodium and
Potassium ions across the neural
membrane
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Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers from neuron to
neuron.
Messages may also travel from neurons to
to muscles and organs in the body, such
as lungs or the intestines.
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Synaptic gap
Synaptic vesicles with neurotransmitters at
one side of the gap (terminal buttons): pre-
synaptic gap. Like keys
Receptor sites for neurotransmitters (like
locks) at the other side of the gap: post-
synaptic gap
1/10000 of a second to travel across the
synaptic gap

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Brain, neurons, neurotransmitters
how it works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haNoq8U
bSyc

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Neurotransmitters
Produced in the terminal
buttons and diffused across
the synaptic gap to bind to
receptor sites.
The neuron on the
postsynaptic side of the gap
more or less likely to fire as a
result of synaptic transmission.
Psychoactive drugs can
change properties of
neurotransmitter release,
neurotransmitter reuptake and
the availability of receptor
binding sites.


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Neurotransmitter processes
Excitatory: increases the frequency of action
potential
Inhibitory: decreases the frequency of action
potential
De-activation: effect of neurotransmitter
stopped (destroyed by special enzyme)
Re-uptake: reabsorbed by the terminal buttons.
Drugs can inhibit re-uptake so that the
neurotransmitter remains longer in the synaptic
gap

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Brief intro to principles of
neurotransmission
Click here to see how neurotransmission
works.
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Examples of neurotransmitters
Dopamine: (inhibitory) Controls arousal levels in the
brain; vital for physical motivation (e.g. associated with
craving in addiction)
Serotonin: (inhibitory) Controls mood and anxiety levels
High levels of serotonin are associated with optimism.
Acetylcholine (ACh): (excitatory) Controls activity in the
brain connected with attention, learning and memory
Noradrenaline: (excitatory) involved in mental arousal
and elevated mood
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Dopamine and serotonin
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The reward pathway - dopamine
Stimulation of the
reward center is
linked to release of
dopamine
Rats will continuously
press a lever that
gives a small
electrical stimulation
to the pleasure center