Tag: Neurotransmitter
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Homovanillic acid (HVC) and Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
Homovanillic acid (HVA) is a major catecholamine metabolite that is produced by a consecutive action of monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase on dopamine. Homovanillic acid is used as a reagent to detect oxidative enzymes, and is associated with dopamine levels in the brain. In psychiatry and neuroscience, brain and cerebrospinal fluid levels of HVA are measured as a marker of metabolic stress caused by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. HVA presence supports a diagnosis of neuroblastoma and malignant pheochromocytoma. Fasting plasma levels of HVA are known to be…
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Pterion and Pteron Notes
The pterion is the region where the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones join. It is located on the side of the skull, just behind the temple. Structure The pterion is located in the temporal fossa, approximately 2.6 cm behind and 1.3 cm above the posterolateral margin of the frontozygomatic suture. It is the junction between four bones: These bones are typically joined by five cranial sutures: Clinical significance Haematoma…
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Calcitonin
Calcitonin is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone secreted by PARAFOLLICULAR CELLS (also known as C cells) of the thyroid (or endostyle) in humans and other chordates in the ultimopharyngeal body. It acts to reduce blood calcium (Ca2+), opposing the effects of PARATHYROID HORMONE (PTH). Its importance in humans has not been as well established as its importance in other animals, as its function is usually not significant in the…
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Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) aka PMCH
Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), also known as pro-melanin stimulating hormone (PMCH), is a cyclic 19-amino acid orexigenic hypothalamicpeptide originally isolated from the pituitary gland of teleost fish, where it controls skin pigmentation. Barson JR, Morganstern I, Leibowitz SF (2013). “Complementary roles of orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone in feeding behavior”. International Journal of Endocrinology. 2013: 983964. doi:10.1155/2013/983964. PMC 3727095. PMID 23935621. In mammals it is involved in the regulation of feeding behavior, mood,…
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Oxytocin
Oxytocin (Oxt or OT) is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide normally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary. Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (41 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. 2015. p. 358. ISBN 978-0-7020-6851-5. It plays a role in social bonding, reproduction, childbirth, and the period after childbirth. Audunsdottir K, Quintana DS (2022-01-25). “Oxytocin’s dynamic role across the lifespan”. Aging Brain: 100028. doi:10.1016/j.nbas.2021.100028. ISSN 2589-9589. S2CID 246314607. Leng G, Leng RI (November 2021). “Oxytocin: A…
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Prolactin receptor modulators
Prolactin Agonists An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the agonist, while an inverse agonist causes an action opposite to that of the agonist. Etymology: From the Greek αγωνιστής (agōnistēs), contestant; champion; rival < αγων (agōn), contest, combat; exertion, struggle…
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Prostaglandins (PG)
The prostaglandins (PG) are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds called eicosanoids “Eicosanoid Synthesis and Metabolism: Prostaglandins, Thromboxanes, Leukotrienes, Lipoxins”. themedicalbiochemistrypage.org. Retrieved 2018-09-21. having diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been found in almost every tissue in humans and other animals. They are derived enzymatically from the fatty acid arachidonic acid. Ricciotti E, FitzGerald GA (May 2011). “Prostaglandins and inflammation”. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 31 (5): 986–1000. doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.207449. PMC 3081099. PMID 21508345. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including…
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Oxalyldiaminopropionic acid (ODAP) is a structural analogue of the neurotransmitter glutamate found in the grass pea Lathyrus sativus
Oxalyldiaminopropionic acid (ODAP) is a structural analogue of the neurotransmitter glutamate found in the grass pea Lathyrus sativus. It is the neurotoxin responsible for the motor neuron degeneration syndrome lathyrism. Woldeamanuel, Yohannes W.; Hassan, Anhar; Zenebe, Guta (2011-11-12). “Neurolathyrism: two Ethiopian case reports and review of the literature”. Journal of Neurology. 259 (7): 1263–1268. doi:10.1007/s00415-011-6306-4. ISSN 0340-5354. PMID 22081101. S2CID 27543906. Sources ODAP is found in the seeds of the legume L. sativus, a grass pea…
