The central nervous system (CNS)

The CNS comprises the brain and the spinal chord. The peripheral nervous system
(‘PNS’) comprises the spinal and cranial nerves that connect the CNS with the rest of
the body. The ANS describes an important part of the CNS as it governs processes
for energy expenditure and energy build-up. These two divisions are called the
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system respectively. The term autonomic
stresses the fact that the processes are self-regulatory and operate on a homeostatic
basis.

There are three main types of neurons that represent the communication system for
the body. Sensory neurons carry information from sensory receptors to the CNS.
Connector neurons are found mainly in the CNS and convey information from the
senses or internal environment for subsequent activation. Motor neurons send
information from the CNS to the muscles and activate bodily areas. You should be
able to name the specific parts of a neuron (eg axon, dendrites, nucleus, terminal
buttons) and explain how neurons are implicated with neurotransmitters.

TIP: You need to be able to explain the role of the CNS and at least one of its
component parts in terms of its contribution to a specific behaviour or psychological
response. To make your understanding of this area easier you should adopt a
similar approach with the following categories of neurotransmitters and the
localization of function of the brain.

Neurotransmitters

A neurotransmitter is any substance that is found in the terminal buttons of a neuron

although neurotransmitters are generally chemical in nature. When a neuron fires
they are released across the synaptic cleft and are absorbed by the receptor cells of
the receiving dendrites of another neuron. Thus communication within the brain can
be regarded as an electrochemical process that underlies nervous transmission.
Some neurotransmitters have an inhibitory action (ie they decrease firing) whilst
others have an activating function (ie they increase firing) and a balance of inhibitory
and activating functions is necessary to ensure that genuine messages are
transmitted and adaptive responses ensue.

TIP: You should be able to explain and apply the properties of at least TWO
neurotransmitters. Some examples are provided. (Options: Dysfunctional
Behaviour, Health Psychology)

Dopamine tends to have an inhibitory function and is a transmitter for movement,

attention and learning. Degeneration of neurons in the dopamine circuit can occur
with age and if insufficient dopamine is produced, Parkinson’s disease results. A
synthetic form of dopamine can be given to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s
disease. However high levels of this medication have been found to produce
symptoms akin to schizophrenia, hence the ‘dopamine hypothesis’ that states that
schizophrenic episodes are produced by an overactive transmission of dopaminergic
neurons. However cause and effect are problematic since the cause could be
related to inappropriate dopamine transmission or a faulty re-uptake processes. It
has also been hypothesised that a breakdown in other catecholamines could
intervene in the chemical imbalance associated with symptoms of schizophrenia.

In theory brain surgery involving the transplanting of dopaminergic neurons from

human foetal material is possible. However there are strong ethical implications for