Brain Pathways Synaptic

Most Acetylcholine-releasing neurons are

found in specific locations and pathways in Transmission
the Central Nervous System. Wherein, the
effects of acetylcholine release in the brain Synthesis, Storage and Release
are generally facilitatory
Acetylcholine is composed of two
precursors namely, choline and acetyl

PHYSIOLOGICAL 3 Pathways
coenzyme.
The enzyme choline acetyltrasnferase is
required to produce ACh from the precursos.
Psychology Dorsalateral Pons
Wherein, ACh is loaded into vesicles by the
vesicle ACh transporter, where it is stored
until being relead from the presynaptic cell.
The acetylcholinergic
neurons located in
Study of human behavior through the here plays a role
in REM sleep. By which
physiological impact. the REM sleep is the
phase of sleep where
dreaming occurs.

Basal Forebrain (Nucleus Basalis)

Adrenalineis involved

Neurotrasmitter:
in activating the
cerebral cortex and
facilitating learning.
Acetylcholine Here, Acetylcholine is
also known to When an action potential has been
promote wakefulness. generated, ACh then will be released into

the synapse.
What is Acetylcholine?
Binding
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter
There are two types of ACh receptors: (1)
that is important due to its function
Medial Septum one ionotropic and (2) one metabotropic.
in both the central and the
peripheral nervous system
Acetylcholinergic
It is the primary neurotransmitter neurons located in Stimulated by stimulated by
secreted by axons in the Peripheral the medial septum nicotine. muscarine
Nervous system that terminate at control the electrical
muscle cells to control muscle rhythms of the
hippocampus and The CNS contains both kinds of ACh
contraction
modulate its function. receptors, but muscarinic receptors
It is found outside the Central
p r e d o m i n a t e ..
Nervous System in locations that are Some nicotinic receptors are found at
easy to study. Thus, making this the axoaxonic synapses in the
first neurotransmitter to be brain, where they produce presynaptic
discovered. facilitation.
 Role of
Activation of these receptors is
partially responsible for the reinforcing
effects of nicotine.
2 different drugs stimulate the two
classes of ACh receptors, wherein 2
Acetylcholine
different drugs also block them: (1)
Atropine - blocks muscurainic receptors
and (2) Curare - blocks the nicotinic
receptors.
Inactivation and Reuptake
Acetylcholine is deactivated by the
enzyme called acetylcholinesterase
(which breaks down one molecule of ACh
into its precursors). It ispresent in the
postsynaptic membrane.
Presynaptic neurons in cholinergic
synapses possess choline transporters
for reuptake
of this ACh precursor
Hemicholinium-3 is a research drug that
blocks the choline transporter. The effect
of this drug is that it reduces the rate of
ACh production.
in Human Behavior
Acetylcholine can be found in
all motor neurons, where it
stimulates muscles to
contract.
It supports and regulates
different types of memory
including long-term and
working memory.
It is also implicated in
different phases of memory
from memory formation to
consolidation and retrival
ACh neurons involved with the
sleep-wake cycle are located
in the pons and basal
forebrain. Hence, it has been
seen that the ACh neurons in
these areas are very
important for the initiation of
REM sleep.
Behavioral and Mental disorders
linked to
Acetylcholine
Imbalances in levels of acetylcholine
play a role in some neurological
conditions wherein, people with
Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's
disease tend to have low levels of
acetylcholine
According to experts, people with
Parkinson's disease often have a
decrease in dopamine allowing
acetylcholine to take over. hence, when
this occurs, muscles become too
"excited", which leads to symptoms
such as jerking movements and
temors.
Experts believe that many non-motor
symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such
as memory problems, are related to
reduced levels of acetylcholine
Submitted to: Ma'am Eloisa Jay Arig
Submitted by: Angelika Faith J. Alo
BS Psychology 3 _ 0509D