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n e u r o s c i e n t i s t

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Many areas of the brain use endorphin neuropeptides for neurotransmitters.

Multimedia Neuroscience Education Project is a National Science Foundation-funded [1998] website for learning about Synaptic Transmission and Neurotransmitters

The objectives of this project were to bring advances in digital technology to the teaching of neuroscience, a complex and growing interdisciplinary field. Central to this approach is the conviction that the neuronal, molecular and electrical processes that are fundamental to brain function, constantly change in time and space. Two-dimensional representations fall far short of communicating the complexity of these phenomena, so 3-D animation shorts are utilized and also produced on a CD-Rom. The NSF funds were used to produce, evaluate and implement a pilot program to cover one curriculum unit, Synaptic Transmission and Chemical Messengers. Betty Zimmerberg was the Principal PI on the NSF grant.

There are four fundamental steps in the process of synaptic transmission; likewise, there are four primary divisions of content in this website. Each division corresponds to one of the four steps of synaptic transmission and is organized around specific neurotransmitters. For each neurotransmitter, there are a series of pages to describe the specific role of that neurotransmitter within the broader process of synaptic transmission. These specific pages illustrate the role of each neurotransmitter through the use of computer animations accompanied by thorough explanatory text. Finally, each series of pages devoted to a specific neurotransmitter concludes by connecting the role of that neurotransmitter to a particular clinical application, such as schizophrenia, autism, anxiety, or depression.

Betty is currently developing a new course at Williams College called "Image, Imaging and Imagination: The Brain and Visual Arts". She would appreciate any comments or suggestions for readings from ASCI members.  The course description can be seen at http://www.williams.edu/Registrar/catalog/
depts/intr/intr223.html

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Learning about the function of the dopamine g-protein linked receptor and the role of neurons in the mesolimbic system which use dopamine as their neurotransmitter will help you to understand about behaviors such as motivation and disorders such as schizophrenia. 

 

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Antidepressant drugs also bind to the serotonin transporter. These drugs have a higher affinity for the transporter, so they block serotonin from binding and the transporter from flipping inside the presynaptic cell. Excess serotonin in the synaptic cleft means over-activation of the post-synaptic receptors.

Betty Zimmerberg
Betty.Zimmerberg@williams.edu
Chair, Neuroscience Program 
and Professor of Psychology
Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts
USA