Psychotropic medications are drugs prescribed to manage the symptoms of mental disorders. They function by altering the levels or effects of neurotransmitters in the brain, aiming to correct imbalances associated with various psychological conditions.

Psychotropic Medications

New Mexico Highlands University

Psychologists have gained much of their understanding regarding the functions of neurotransmitters by researching how various drugs affect individuals with psychological disorders.

Neurotransmitters and Drugs

There are different types of neurotransmitters with different functions in the human body. Some of the major neurotransmitters include:
- Serotonin (Mood & sleep)
- Glutamate (Memory & learning)
- Dopamine (Mood, sleep, & learning)
- Acetylcholine (Muscle action & memory)
- Beta-endorphin (Pain & pleasure)
- Gamma-aminobutyric acide (Brain function & sleep)
- Norepinephrine (Heart, intestines, & alertness)

Major Neurotransmitters

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The biological perspective on psychopathology posits that psychological disorders are rooted in faulty biological processes. This viewpoint, which has gained prominence through scientific advances over recent decades, attributes mental illness to factors such as genetics, neurological abnormalities, and hormonal or biochemical imbalances. This perspective drives research into the genetic, neurological, and chemical underpinnings of various psychological conditions.

Biological Perspective of Psychological Disorders

From a biological perspective, psychologists assert that psychological disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia, are frequently linked to imbalances within one or more neurotransmitter systems in the body.

Neurotransmitter Imbalances in Psychological Disorders

A new medication is designed to treat a condition caused by insufficient activity of a specific chemical messenger in the brain. The medication works by binding to the same cellular receptors as the natural messenger and mimicking its effects, thereby increasing the overall response in the receiving neuron. Based on this mechanism, how would this medication be classified, and what is its primary effect at the junction between neurons?

- Amine Neurotransmitters
- Amino Acid Neurotransmitters
- Peptide Neurotransmitters
- Gas Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitter Families

AMPA receptors are found on the postsynaptic neuron and are activated when glutamate binds to the neuron. AMPA receptors are permeable to sodium ions.

AMPA Receptors

Analyze the following scenario. Based on the primary functions of the chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells, identify the single messenger most likely responsible for the patient's symptoms and explain your reasoning.

Analyzing Neurotransmitter Function in a Clinical Context

A significant portion of psychological knowledge regarding the specific functions of various neurotransmitters is derived from researching how different psychoactive drugs affect individuals with psychological disorders.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After