A receptor is a molecular target for a chemical signal such as a neurotransmitter, hormone or drug. Binding of the signal to the receptor initiates or modulates behaviour in the receiving cell.
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28 views
If a receptor is inhibited throughout embryogenesis, could there be observable phenotypic differences in the adult?
So I read a journal article entitled "Maternal hypoxia and caffeine exposure depress fetal CV function during primary organogenesis" (Momoi, et al., 2012) and in essence the article speaks of the ...
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50 views
Does the NMDA antagonist, Memantine that's used to prevent Excitotoxicity cause brain damage?
Does the NMDA antagonist, Memantine that's used to prevent excitotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) cause brain damage? I know that in rodents NMDA antagonists ...
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32 views
Molecular cause of cramps, spasms and strengthening in muscles? (incl. intro to muscle contraction)
When motor neurons are stimulated to trigger an action potential, this potential propagates down the spine, eventually reaching a neuromuscular junction, causing the release of acetylcholine (ACh).
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13 views
Which classes of drugs (filed by their pharmacology) induce a release of beta-endorphin?
Which classes of drugs (filed by their binding sites) induce a release of $\beta$-endorphin? I know of agonists of the nAChRs and 5-HT1A and ethanol. Are there any others?
Please cite journal ...
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49 views
Do serotonergic (5-HT2A-mediated) psychedelics elicit stimulant effects?
I know that 5-HT2A partial agonism is the key mechanism of action of serotonergic psychedelics but I also know that some research (e.g. the selective (no activity on any other known receptor sites) ...
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22 views
Are all Autoreceptors Downregulated by their Respective Endogenous Ligands?
I know that the 5-HT1A and $\alpha$2 adrenoreceptors receptors serve as autoreceptors for serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine respectively and are down-regulated by repeat exposure to their respective ...
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53 views
Which Receptors are Involved in the antidepressant effects of SSRIs?
From what I've read the major receptor subtypes involved in the antidepressant effects of SSRIs are:
5-HT1A
5-HT2C
5-HT3
5-HT6
Please cite journal articles to back up your claims, I don't want any ...
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17 views
Which Receptors are involved in Psychedelia/Psychosis?
Which receptors are involved in Psychedelia/Psychosis? I know that the 5-HT2A, 5-HT3, D2, κ-opioid and NMDA receptors are likely involved in psychosis.
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25 views
Do SSRIs downregulate or upregulate the 5-HT3 receptor?
What effect do SSRIs have on the expression of the ligand-gated ion channel, the 5-HT3 receptor?
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1answer
66 views
What is the cannabinoid autoreceptor?
"Is there a cannabinoid autoreceptor? And if so what is the cannabinoid autoreceptor?"
(i.e. is the cannabinoid autoreceptor CB1, CB2 or is it one of the G protein coupled receptors, GPR18, GPR55 or ...
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22 views
Does regulate always mean suppress when it comes to heteroreceptors?
Do heteroreceptors always suppress the release of the neurotransmitter they regulate upon their (the heteroreceptor's) activation?
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255 views
Why doesn't a substance like loperamide promote analgesia?
Loperamide is frequently used to slow gastrointestinal motility. It is available over the counter (in the US, I don't know about elsewhere) without any regulations whatsoever, yet it's derived from ...
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467 views
Are single-celled organisms capable of learning?
I've read that the amoeba is capable of learning. Since these protists have no nervous system, it's safe to assume that even highly simplified learning mechanisms of the Aplysia are miles off in the ...
