Neurotransmitters
Particular drugs, both medical and recreational, can affect the degree of a neurotransmitter's impact, this effect occurs at the synapse
Antagonist
A substance that decreases the effect of a neurotransmitter
If an antagonist acts on an excitatory neurotransmitter, the excitatory effect will decrease
Be Careful
Agonists and Antagonists DO NOT change the type of change a neurotransmitter causes
An antagonist will not change an excitatory neurotransmitter into an inhibitory one; it will just lower the degree of the excitatory response
An antagonist reduces a neurotransmitters normal effects
Acetylcholine
Excitatory; plays a role in memory, learning, and attention
- low levels of acetylcholine have been linked to Alzheimer's
responsible for muscle movement
- when acetylcholine is released, it triggers action potential in the muscle fibers making your muscles contract and
Study Used
Martinez and Kesner (1991): Acetylcholine and Memory