what breaks down ACh?
AChE, acetylcholinesterase
What are the two types of cholinergic signalling?
Ionotropic/nicotinic (nAChR) and msucarinic (mAChR)
what is the enzyme that forms ACh?
ChAT, choline acetyltransferase
Antagonist of nAChRs?
curare (plant based toxin)
what are nAChRs permeable to?
Na+, K+ and highly variable to Ca2+
whats the role of ACh in somatic nervous system?
-voluntary control of body movements
-some reflexes
-NMJ
How is ACh involved at NMJ?
-ACh activates nAChRs on motor plate (only pass Na+ and Ca+
- eEPP (excitatory end plate potential)
- when eEPP reaches threshold voltage gated Na+ channles open and causes motor end plate AP
Name 2 toxins that are competitive antagonists for nAChR?
Tubocurarine
A-bungarotoxin
Name a AChE inhibitor and how does it work?
Physostigimine
- get depolarising block (desensitisation of receptors and deactivated voltage gated Na+ receptors
- used in operative care as a relaxant
Name two toxins that block ACh release?
Tetanus toxin
Botulinum toxin (both cause paralysis)
how is nAChRs involved in myasthenia gravis?
-autoimmune (antibodies against nAChRs)
- causes muscle weakness and paralysis
-causes membrane attack complex (MAC) which causes internalisation of nAChRs from membrane
Treatment for myasthenia gravis?
Neostigmine (AChE inhibitor) and immune system suppressants
what are the pathways of the trisynaptic circuit of the hippocampus?
Perforant pathway (Entorhinal cortex to dentate gyrus)
Mossy fibres (dentate gyrus to CA3)
Schaffer collaterals (CA3 to CA1)
What are the 4 basic properties of LTP?
What are the mechanisms underlying LTP?
what can LTP induction be blocked by?
Ca2+ chelators
what are some of the mechanisms that contribute to increased AMPAR activity?
what can LTD be induced by?
prolonged low frequency stimulation
what does LTD involved?
how is AMPAR internalized in LTD?
what is the induction of LTD (but not LTP) sensitive to?
phosphatase inhibitors
LTD in the cerebellum?
Mechanism of LTD in cerebellar?
What is different about electrical synapses compared to chemical?