Case Study

Drugs alter neurotransmission

Jianyi Zhang (Allen)

Introduction to Psychology: Fundamental Issues

Psychology

Professor Anna Rosales

June 17, 2012

Introduction

The topic of this report is drugs alter neurotransmission. In the very beginning of this report is about what are neurons and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the “chemical messengers” which are produced by our bodies. They relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons”. The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell our heart to beat, our lungs to breathe, and our stomach to digest.  They can also affect mood, sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause adverse symptoms when they are out of balance. After the background information is a reflection of drug abuse.

Neurotransmission

There are three basic types of neurons: the motor neuron (efferent), the sensory neuron (afferent), and the interneuron. The sensory neurons are specified in the senses of taste, touch, hearing, smell, and sight. They send messages from the sensory receptors to the Central Nervous System. "Sensory neurons carry message from the body's tissues and organs inward to the brain and spinal cord and then sent instructions out to the body's issue via the motor neurons." (Psychology, 2010, page 49) In another word, the motor neurons are specified to send messages away from the Central Nervous System. The interneuron is between motor neuron and the sensory neurons, and the interneuron is also like a mix of both a sensory neuron and a motor neuron. These neurons usually only found in the Central Nervous System. These neurons send messages between both motor and sensory neurons. “Neurons, like batteries, generate electricity from chemical events.” (Psychology, 2010, page 50) The specialized chemicals that carry the signals across the meeting point (synapse) between neurons, are called neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body.  They are...