Chapter 6 - Substance P & Endorphins Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 6 - Substance P & Endorphins Deck (53)
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1
Q

What kind of substance is substance P?

A

Neuropeptide (chemical class PPP)

2
Q

What is the function of substance P?

A

Transmit pain about tissues to the CNS

3
Q

Substance P binds to what receptor?

A

Neurokinin-1

4
Q

Where can substance P be found?

A

All organs of the body

5
Q

Substance P acts as a neurotransmitter for what sensation/perception?

A

Pain and anxiety

6
Q

What effect does substance P have on heart rate?

A

Increase

7
Q

Does substance P act as a vasodilator or vasoconstrictor?

A

Vasodilator

8
Q

What effect does substance P have on blood pressure?

A

Decrease

9
Q

What effect does substance P have on the immune response?

A

Increase

10
Q

What effect does substance P have on oxygen transport?

A

Increase

11
Q

What effect does substance P have on cell growth?

A

Stimulation

12
Q

Substance P increases the secretion of what hormones?

A

STH (cell growth), LTH, TSH, FSH, LH, ADH

13
Q

Substance P is found in what kind of brain regions?

A

Those that regulate emotions

14
Q

Substance P is released in what kind of local inflammatory response?

A

Neurogenic inflammation of certain injuries

15
Q

Substance P is released from sensory nerve fibers in what specific areas?

A

Skin, muscles, and joints

16
Q

What part of the brainstem has high concentrations of substance P?

A

Vomiting center of the medulla

17
Q

Substance P has a role in inflammatory diseases of which body systems?

A

Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal

18
Q

Substance P is secreted by nerves and what inflammatory cells during inflammatory disease?

A

Macrophages and lymphocytes

19
Q

What type of fibers are myelinated and respond to heat and touch?

A

A-delta fibers

20
Q

What type of fibers are unmyelinated and respond to heat and touch?

A

C fibers

21
Q

What type of fibers are thickly myelinated and respond to light touch?

A

A beta fibers

22
Q

Where is substance P synthesized?

A

CNS and PNS

23
Q

What type of fibers are associated with chronic pain?

A

C fibers (unmyelinated)

24
Q

What type of fibers are associated with acute pain?

A

A delta fibers (myelinated)

25
Q

What inflammatory conditions can arise from issues with substance P?

A

Eczema, fibromyalgia, low back pain, arthritis

26
Q

What are some signs of eczema seen on the skin?

A

Varying redness, bumps, scratching injuries, and lines

27
Q

Deficiency in what mineral is seen in fibromyalgia?

A

Magnesium

28
Q

Levels of what neurotransmitter is decreased in fibromyalgia?

A

Serotonin (also hormone imbalances are present)

29
Q

What type of pain is seen with fibromyalgia?

A

Chronic

30
Q

What elevated substance is seen in the cerebrospinal fluid of those with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression?

A

Substance P

31
Q

What is the function of endorphins?

A

Inhibit transmission of pain

32
Q

Where are endorphins produced?

A

Central nervous system (specifically the anterior pituitary gland)

33
Q

What type of substance are endorphins?

A

Neuropolypeptides

34
Q

Endorphins bind to what kind of receptor?

A

Opioid

35
Q

What are the three major categories of endorphins?

A

Beta endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins

36
Q

How were endorphins discovered?

A

Natural opioid receptors were discovered when exogenous opiates were introduced into the body

37
Q

What does endorphin mean?

A

Morphine within

38
Q

What type of endorphin is referred to as the natural painkiller?

A

Enkephalins

39
Q

What is the function of enkephalins?

A

Raise pain threshold

40
Q

How is the pain threshold altered with fibromyalgia?

A

Lowered

41
Q

Research suggests that patients with what kind of ailment have lower pain thresholds?

A

Chronic fatigue

42
Q

What types of pain may be inhibited by enkephalins?

A

BOTH emotional and physical pains

43
Q

Besides inhibiting pain, what else can endorphins have an effect on?

A

Mood and well being

44
Q

What kinds of things can trigger endorphins to produce a euphoric feeling?

A

Exposure to UV light, eating a great meal, sex, body’s reward system

45
Q

What kind of exercise produces an endorphin rush?

A

Heavy weight training or running (NOT light weight training)

46
Q

What substance is responsible for the feeling of “runner’s high”?

A

Endorphins

47
Q

When are endorphins released during exercise?

A

When the body goes from an aerobic to anaerobic state

48
Q

What are the brain benefits of exercise?

A

Increased production of brain chemicals for neuro-repair
Improves memory
Lengthens attention span
Boosts decision making skills
Prompts growth of new nerve cells and blood vessels
Improves multi-tasking and planning

49
Q

How has exercise been shown to help with chronic neck pain?

A

Decreased substance P and possibly glutamate
Increased beta-endorphin and cortisol levels
Therefore: decreased pain intensity and increased pain pressure thresholds

50
Q

How can opioid agonists reduce the risk of developing PTSD?

A

Inhibition of fear-related memory consolidation

51
Q

The release of beta-endorphins in what location helps cope with stress?

A

Amygdala

52
Q

How do beta-endorphins help cope with a stressor?

A

Inhibit the over-activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

53
Q

The release of endogenous enkephalins and nociceptin in what locations can produce anti-stress effects?

A

Basolateral amygdala and nucleus accumbens