NURS 6630 Week 1 Assignment: Psychopharmacology Essay

NURS 6630 Week 1 Assignment: Psychopharmacology Essay

NURS 6630 Week 1 Assignment: Psychopharmacology Essay

In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples.

            Neurons are the basic units of the brain and the nervous system responsible for transmitting chemicals and electrical signals. Anatomically, neurons are made up of a cell body, Schwann cells, axons, node of Ranvier, dendrites, and a nucleus (Kobylarz & Kobylarz, 2021). The neurons normally receive signals from other neurons through the dendrites. When the signal is significant enough, it is transmitted through the axon hillock to the axon where the action potential is triggered. The Schwann cells are responsible for carrying the signal on the axon. The electrical impulse or signals is normally transmitted to the next neuron when it reaches the synapse at the terminals of the axon., with the help of neurotransmitters.

What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures?

            The subcortical structures are mainly made up of the hypothalamus, basal ganglia, subthalamus, epithalamus, and thalamus (Skelin et al., 2019). Each structure has distinct roles crucial for the survival and appropriate functioning of the human body.

Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction?

            The basal ganglia are responsible for organizing motor behavior promoting habit learning (Skelin et al., 2019). The hippocampus on the other hand is responsible for the storage of long-term memory and addiction.

What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control?

            Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine are the most significant neurotransmitters located in the nigral striatal region of the brain promoting motor control (Zhang et al., 2020).

In 3 or 4 sentences, explain how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Be specific and provide examples.

            The glial cells, primarily, provide protection and support to the nerve cells or neurons, form myelin, clean up debris and maintain homeostasis. They also take part in synaptic transmission. There are different types of glial cells in the CNS with different functions including radial glia, ependymal cells, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes (Kobylarz & Kobylarz, 2021). Astrocytes are the most common with the main function in maintaining the environment for neuronal signaling.

The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific.

            Neurons communicate with each other at the synapse, where a given neuron sends a message to the target neuron. Most synapses are chemical and utilize chemical messengers whereas others are electrical where ions flow directly between cells (Brewster et al., 2018). Neurotransmitters are normally released from the neuron into the synaptic cleft once the action potential has reached the presynaptic terminal.

In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples.

            Neuroplasticity is a general term that refers to the ability of the brain to change, modify and adapt both functionally and structurally through an individual’s life and in response to a given experience (Brewster et al., 2018). For instance, the brain can move functions from damaged areas to undamaged areas of the brain. Consequently, the brain also displays the potential of changing its physical structure when an individual learns new things. As such, this concept has been beneficial in promoting appropriate therapeutic interventions for the recovery of the brain after a traumatic head injury or stroke.

References

Brewster, J. T., Dell’Acqua, S., Thach, D. Q., & Sessler, J. L. (2018). Classics in chemical neuroscience: Donepezil. ACS chemical neuroscience, 10(1), 155-167. DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00517. 

Kobylarz, T. J., & Kobylarz, E. J. (2021). A general nonlinear neuron model. Clinical Neurophysiology, 132(9), e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2021.03.026

Skelin, I., Kilianski, S., & McNaughton, B. L. (2019). Hippocampal coupling with cortical and subcortical structures in the context of memory consolidation. Neurobiology of learning and memory, 160, 21-31.  DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.04.004.

Zhang, X., Mantas, I., Fridjonsdottir, E., Andrén, P. E., Chergui, K., & Svenningsson, P. (2020). Deficits in motor performance, neurotransmitters, and synaptic plasticity in elderly and experimental parkinsonian mice lacking GPR37. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12, 84.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00084

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Assignment: Short Answer Assessment
As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, before you can recommend potential pharmacotherapeutics to address a patient€™s condition or disorder, you must understand the basic function and structure of the neuron and central nervous system. For this Assignment, you will review and apply your understanding of neuroanatomy by addressing a set of short answer prompts.

To Prepare:
Review the Learning Resources for this week in preparation to complete this Assignment.
Reflect on the basic function and structure of the neuron in relation to the central nervous system.
Reflect on the inter-connectedness between neurons and the central nervous system, including the pathway and distribution of electrical impulses.
Reflect on how neurons communicate with each other and review the concept of neuroplasticity.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra

To complete:
Address the following Short Answer prompts for your Assignment. Be sure to include references to the Learning Resources for this week.

In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples.
Answer the following (listing is acceptable for these questions):
What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures?
Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction?
What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control?
In 3 or 4 sentences, explain how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Be specific and provide examples.
The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific.
In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 7
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