NEUROBIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF PSYCHIATRIC b.

Cognition
DISORDER c. Perception
d. Cardiovascular functioning
Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that
e. Locomotion
transfer information (contained in the actual potential/
f. Fight or flight response
impulse) from one neuron (functional unit of nervous
g. Sleep and arousal
system) to another at the synapse (junction between to
- Inactivated by monoamine oxidase (MAO) and
neuron)
CathehO-Metyltransferase (COMT)
3 CATEGORIES ↑ ANXIETY DISORDERS, MANIA, AND
1. Cholinergic SCHIZOPRENIA
 Acetylcholine ↓ MEMORY LOSS, SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL, AND
2. Monoamines DEPRESSION
 Norepinephrine
DOPAMINE
 Dopamine
 Serotonin - Located primarily in the brain stem
 Histamine - Derived from TYROSINE (Dietary Amino Acid)
3. Amino Acids - Functions of dopamine include: Regulation of
 Gamma Amino Butyric Acid complex movements and coordination, In
 Glycine emotions, Sensory integration, Voluntary
 Glutamate and Aspartate decision-making ability , Inhibit the release of
prolactin (due to effect on the pituitary gland)
CHOLINERGIC
- Many drugs of abuse (such as cocaine and
ACETYLCHOLINE
amphetamines) cause dopamine release,
- The first neurotransmitter to be discovered and
suggesting a role in whatever makes things
proven as such
pleasurable.
- A major effector chemical in the ANS, located in
- Inactivated by MAO and COMT
the brain, spinal cord, and PNS (neuromuscular
↑ MANIA, ANXIETY STATE and
junction of skeletal system)
SCHIZOPHRENIA
- Synthesized from dietary choline in red meat
and vegetables ↓ PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND DEPRESSION
- Functions include: sleep, arousal (sleep-wake SEROTONIN
cycle), pain perception, modulation, and
- Found only in the brain
coordination of movement, and memory
- Derived from TRYPTOPHAN, a dietary amino
acquisition and retention.
acid (Chocolate contains tryptophan)
- Inactivated by acetylcholinesterase.
- Plays a role in Sleep and arousal (esp. onset of
↑ DEPRESSION
sleep), Libido (sexual behavior), Appetite,
↓ ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, HUNTINGTON’S Mood, Aggression, Pain, Perception,
CHOREA, PARKINSON’S DISEASE, Temperature regulation, Coordination, Ability
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS, ANXIETY STATE, AND to pursue goal oriented behavior
MANIA - Catabolized by MAO
MONOAMINES - Contributed to delusion, hallucination,
NOREPINEPHRINE withdrawn behavior in schizophrenia.
- Norepinephrine and its derivative epinephrine ↑ ANXIETY STATES
are also known as noradrenaline and are also ↓ DEPRESSION
known as noradrenaline and adrenaline
HISTAMINE
- The most prevalent neurotransmitter in the
CNS, and is located primarily at the brain stem. - Highest concentration found in various regions
- Functions include: of the hypothalamus
a. Regulation of mood
 - Recently confirmed as a neurotransmitter in the ments and muscle tone
CNS, hence information is limited. Involved in regulating pituitary
↓ DEPRESSION HYPOTHALAMU hormones, temperature, and
S certain behaviors (appetite, thirst,
AMINO ACIDS and libido)
GAMMA-AMINO-BUTYRIC ACID (GABA) LOCUS
Synthesizes norepinephrine
- GABA has a wide spread distribution in the CNS CERULEUS
(Major inhibitory neurotransmitter) RAPHE NUCLEI Synthesizes serotonin
- Prevents post-synaptic excitation= interrupts SUBSTANCIA
Synthesizes dopamine
the progression of electrical impulse at the NIGRA
synapse. AMYGDALA The seat of emotional intelligence
- Slows down of bodily functions and modulates
other neurotransmitters.
- Function is enhanced by Benzodiazepines
(Increases GABA)= Calming Effect
- Catabolized by the enzyme GABA transaminase.
↓ HUNTINGTON’S CHOREA, ANXIETY DISORDER,
SCHIZOPRENIA, AND VARIOUS FORMS OF EPILEPSY

GLYCINE
- Found in spinal cord and brain stem
- Functions in the recurrent inhibition of motor
neurons, and the regulation of spinal and brain
stem reflexes.

↑ (Toxic Level) GLYCINE ENCEPHALOPATHY

↓ SPASTIC MOTOR MOVEMENT

GLUTAMATE and ASPARTATE

- Found in all cells of the body; in the synaptic
vesicles in the CNS.
- Glutamate is the primary neurotransmitter of
the auditory nerve
- Control the opening of calcium channels in the
neuron (propagating electrical impulses)
- Functions include the regulation of various
motor and spinal reflexes.
- Inactivated by uptake into the tissues.
- Glutamate is neurotoxic in high levels

↑ HUNTINGTON’S CHOREA, TEMPORAL LOBE,

EPILEPSY, SPINAL CEREBELLAR DEGENERATION

STRUCTURES OF INTEREST IN PSYCHIATRY

STRUCTURES FUNCTION
CEREBRAL Central in decision-making and
CORTEX higher-order (Abstract reasoning)
Regulates emotional behavior,
LIMBIC SYSTEM
memory, and learning.
BASAL GANGLIA Coordinates involuntary move-