Description
Respond to each post with 1 -2 paragraphs including referencesPost 1- Brian Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is used in the regulation of appetite, sleep, and most notably mood. The drug class that is most closely related to this neurotransmitter are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs. This drug class seeks to reduce the reuptake of serotonin allowing there to be an increased availability of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft. Some of the expected outcomes with increased serotonin are an improvement in mood, appetite, and sleep patterns. Some of the side effects of SSRIs can include nausea, headaches, changes in sleep patterns, and sexual dysfunction. The condition that this is most closely related to is depression (Mayoclinic.org, 2019). This medication is used to treat symptoms of depression which is thought to be associated with a lack of serotonin. Some of the most common SSRIs include medication such as Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac.Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA for short, is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that binds to GABA-A receptors and works as an inhibitory neurotransmitter that dampens neural activity. This effect of GABA is linked to a variety of drug classes including anxiolytics, sedatives, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants (my.cleavelandclinic.org, 2021). It is most closely linked to anxiolytics and anticonvulsants. The therapeutic effect of medications that affect GABA such as Gabapentin is reduced anxiety, improved sleep, seizure relief, and decreased nerve pain/tension in muscles. Some of the side effects of Gabapentin include sedation, impaired focus, impaired memory, withdrawal symptoms, and dizziness. The conditions that Gabapentin is used to treat can include anxiety disorders, epilepsy, restless leg syndrome, and sleep disorders (Yasaei, Katta, & Saadabadi, 2022).Post#2- Kelly The two neurotransmitters I will be discussing are melatonin and dopamine. Melatonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating sleep and is naturally occurring in some foods such as rice, cereal, and milk. In humans, melatonin is a natural hormone that is made by the pineal gland in the brain. Other tissues that also produce melatonin are the GI tract and immune cells in the bone marrow, and thymus in small quantities as compared to supplementation (Tuft et al., 2023). The drug class that this neurotransmitter is closely linked to is melatonin receptor agonists. The pharmacological action of melatonin is the induction and maintenance of sleep. Melatonin supplements are medications that mimic this hormone to induce drowsiness and are used for sleep disorders such as insomnia. Melatonin receptors are found in various locations throughout the body, including adipose tissue and coronary arteries and their presence in these areas can have various effects, such as lowering blood pressure and promoting the proliferation of bone cells (Tuft et al., 2023). Other potential side effects of melatonin are headache, nausea, bedwetting, confusion, irritability, feelings of sadness or hostility, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm. The conditions that these neurotransmitters would be considered for the treatment plan of insomnia and disruption or disturbances in sleep patterns.Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved with the reward system of the brain. This means that when an individual experiences “rewarding” experiences which can be eating really delicious good or having lots of fun dopamine is released. In turn, this boosts pleasure feelings and reinforces behaviors linked to these feelings. Dopamine is also involved in other roles of the brain such as memory, movement, attention, and pain processing which are pertinent factors when perceiving a stressful situation. Dopamine’s pharmacological action on the heart is increasing heart rate and blood pressure in high doses. The side effects of dopamine include increased aggression, poor impulse control, insomnia, increased urinary flow, and irregular heartbeat. The drug class that this neurotransmitter is closely linked to is antipsychotics and dopamine agonists. Some examples of antipsychotics that are dopamine antagonists are Thorazine, Haldol, and Prolixin. Conditions such as schizophrenia and ADHD are associated with dysfunction in the regulation of dopaminergic system. The expected outcome of dopamine in this instance is a reduction of psychosis such as auditory hallucinations. An example of a dopamine agonist is Levodopa which is used to relieve symptoms of tremors, stiffness, and slow movement in Parkinson’s disease brought upon by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons (Franco et al., 2021).
