Endocrine system, addiction and

neuroplasticity

Biopsychology

Someone touched a
_____
In the peripheral nervous system a bundle of axons is called
anerve.
In the CNS a bundle of axons is called atract.
Nerves can be categorized into two groups based on where
they connect to the central nervous system:
spinal
cranial (parts of the head and connect directly to the brain).

Neurotransmitters
Serotonin
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
GABA
Substance P
Endorphins
Hyperlink - video

2, 4 & 7
Glutamate

Deficits of this
neurotransmitt
er causes
Parkinsons
Dopamine
disease

GABA

Serotonin

Acetylcholine

associated with
arousal particularly with
the sympathetic
division
of the
Norepinephrine
autonomic
nervous system

involved in
memory and if in
oversupply can
Glutamate
overstimulate the
brain and produce
migraines or

Substance P

Endorphins

5, 8 & 1
Norepinephrine

associated with
mood regulation,
control
of eating,
Serotonin
sleeping &
arousal; involved
in the regulation
of pain
involved in
Glutamate
memory and if in
oversupply can
overstimulate the

associated with
movement,
attention,
learning
Dopamine and
the reinforcing
of recreational
drugs
Acetylcholine

Substance P

Undersupply is
linked to seizures,
tremors and
insomnia as it is a
GABA inhibitory
major
neurotransmitter

associated with
arousal - particularly
with the
Glutamate
sympathetic division
of the autonomic
nervous system

Endorphins

3, 6, 9 & 10
Glutamate

associated with
muscular
movement, the
Acetylcholine
autonomic
nervous system,
sleep, learning
and memories
involved in
memory and if in
Glutamate
oversupply can
overstimulate the

Undersupply
linked to
depression
some
Serotonin
antidepressants
raise serotonin
levels
Dopamine

involved in the
control of multiple
other autonomic
Substance
P
functions, notably
pain transmission

Undersupply is
linked to seizures,
tremors and
insomnia as it is a
GABA
major inhibitory
neurotransmitter

associated with
arousal - particularly
with the
sympathetic division
of the autonomic
Norepinephrine
nervous system

name derives
from morphine
EndorphinsThey are
within?
released in

Pathways
40 billion neurons each connect to approx. 10
000 other neurons, thus we end up with
possibly 400 trillion synapses
Neurons cluster into neural networks
Neurotransmitter pathways may use only one or
two neurotransmitters and neurotransmitters may
affect specific behaviours and emotions
Learning occurs as experience strengthens
connections

Two key pathways

Plasticity
This is the brains ability to change, especially
during childhood
Reorganizing after damage or building new
pathways based on new experiences or
neurogenesis (new brain cells produced)
Not all damage can be remediated neurons that are
severed usually do not regenerate

Neurons that fire together, wire together

We have synaptic pruning but we also have creation of synapses

What does this mean for

understanding addiction?
Continuous use depletes natural
neurotransmitter levels
Tolerance
Addiction

Video

Endocrine system
Another form of chemical messaging: hormones
Travel through blood stream and affect other tissues, including the
brain

Works in interconnected ways with the electrochemical

system
Feedback system where the brain influences the pituitary
which influences other glands which influences hormones
which influences the body and brain

 Some hormones are chemically

identical to neurotransmitters but it
is slow and steady
Hormone messages outlast
neurotransmitter effects
Eg the Autonomic Nervous System
orders adrenal glands on top of the
kidneys to release epinephrine and
norepinephrine (increase heart rate,