Drugs & Addiction - Rollins College

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Neuron

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The individual nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system

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Dendrite

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Spiny branchlike structures that extend from the cell body of a neuron, typically contain numerous receptor sites, and are thus important in neural transmission

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Axon

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A long cylindrical extension of the cell body of the neuron, conducts an electrical charge from the cell body to the axon terminals

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Myelin

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A fatty white substance that covers the axons of some neurons

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Action potential

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The electrical impulse along the axon, that occurs when a neuron fires

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Axon terminal or terminal button

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Enlarged buttonlike structures at the ends of axon branches

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Synapse

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The junction between neurons

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Neurotransmitters

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Chemical substances stored in the axon terminals that are released into the synapse when the neuron fires. Neurotransmitters then influence activity in postsynaptic

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Receptor sites

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Specialized structures located on dendrites and cell bodies for neurons that are activated by neurotransmitters

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Ionotropic receptors

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Receptors that are coupled to ion channels and affect the neuron by causing those channels to open

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Metabotropic Receptors

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Receptors that act through a second messenger system

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Vesicles

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Tiny sacs in axon terminals that store neurotransmitters

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Enzyme Breakdown

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One process by which neurotransmitters are inactivated. Chemicals called enzymes interact with the transmitter molecule and change its structure so that it no longer is capable of occupying receptor sites

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Reuptake

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One process by which neurotransmitters are inactivated. Neurotransmitter molecules are taken back up into the axon terminal that released them

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Acetylcholine

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A neurotransmitter linked with the memory processes that is found both in the brain and in the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

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Agonist

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A substance that occupies a neural receptor and causes some change in the conductance of the neuron

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Antagonist

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A substance that occupies a neural receptor and blocks normal synaptic transmission

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Neuromuscular Junction

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Junction between neuron and muscle fibers where release of acetylcholine by neurons causes muscles to contract

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Hippocampus

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A structure of the limbic system thought to be important in the formation of memories

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Electroencephalography

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Technique used to measure electrical activity in the brain

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Computerized axial tomography

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Technique that produces a three-dimensional X-ray image of the brain

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Positron emission transaxial tomography

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Technique used to measure activity in selected brain regions

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Magnetic resonance imaging

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Technique that creates a high resolution, three dimensional image of the brain

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inferior colliculi

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Midbrain structures that control sound localization

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Superior colliculi

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Midbrain structures that control visual localization

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Substania nigra

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Literally black substance, this basal ganglia structure is darkly pigmented produces dopamine. Damage to this area produces Parkinsons disease

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Thalamus

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Forebrain structure that organizes sensory input

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Hypothalamus

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Forebrain structure that regulates eating, drinking, and other basic biological drives.

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Mesolimbic dopaminergic Pathway

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Pathway that is rewarded when stimulated

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Limbic System

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Forebrain structures including the mygdala and hippocampus