Norepinephrine Essay Sample

Paper Instructions

Academic level – Undergrad. 1-2

Type of paper – Research paper

Topic title: Norepinephrine

Instructions:

• Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
• Provide a 3-5 sentence paraphrased summary of the assigned neurotransmitter purpose and function.
• Link the assigned neurotransmitter to a psychiatric diagnosis or diagnoses.
• Discuss associated symptoms of the selected diagnosis or diagnoses.
• Determine if each symptom is related to an excess or deficiency in the neurotransmitter
• Identify a drug class that treats the disorder.
• Discuss whether recommended medications are agonists or antagonists.
• Explain how the medication impacts the clinical signs and symptoms (treats the diagnosis).

Norepinephrine Essay Sample

Norepinephrine stands as a noteworthy neurotransmitter, assuming a pivotal role within the confines of the sympathetic nervous system and its orchestration of the body’s innate ‘fight or flight’ response. In stress or peril, norepinephrine is discharged from synaptic vesicles into the synaptic gap, subsequently binding to adrenergic receptors on the postsynaptic neuron (Stanford, 2020). Through its interaction with α1 and β2 receptors, this neurotransmitter elicits an augmentation in heart rate and blood pressure, initiates the release of glucose to provide supplementary energy, and augments blood circulation to the skeletal muscles essential for the physical reaction. The appropriate quantity of norepinephrine is crucial for a fitting stress response; nevertheless, an excessive surplus can give rise to complications.

Perturbations in the levels of norepinephrine have garnered substantive attention for their intricate linkage to anxiety disorders, notably generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Key indications of these disorders encompass excessive and all-encompassing nervousness, a sense of unease, muscle tenseness, and, in the case of panic disorder, abrupt episodes of intense panic marked by symptoms like a rapidly beating heart (Ross & van Bockstaele, 2021). The persistent agitation, constant rumination of anxious thoughts, and potential for psychosis are likewise connected to elevated norepinephrine levels, which drive heightened vigilance.

Physicians commonly prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline and fluoxetine for treating anxiety disorders. Through inhibiting serotonin reuptake, these agents facilitate the buildup of serotonin within the synaptic cleft, thus augmenting the impact of serotonin within the cerebral milieu. This heightened serotonin activity fosters a soothing and mood-stabilizing impact, mitigating anxiety. Furthermore, Furthermore, SSRIs modestly impede the effect on norepinephrine reuptake, attributable to similarities in their transport mechanisms, culminating in synchronizing norepinephrine functionality (Gosmann et al., 2021). These medications mitigate symptoms by hindering serotonin reuptake and mildly restraining norepinephrine reuptake, achieving balance.

Overall, norepinephrine is pivotal in the intricate framework of the body’s stress response mechanism. Nevertheless, excessive norepinephrine activity has been correlated with generalized anxiety and panic disorders. The mechanism of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) involves impeding the reabsorption of serotonin while concurrently inhibiting the influence of norepinephrine reuptake. Understanding neurotransmitter roles, including norepinephrine’s functions and purpose, is crucial for developing effective pharmacological treatments for mental health.

References

Gosmann, N. P., Costa, M. de, Jaeger, M. de, Motta, L. S., Frozi, J., Spanemberg, L., Manfro, G. G., Cuijpers, P., Pine, D. S., & Salum, G. A. (2021). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and stress disorders: A 3-level network meta-analysis. PLOS Medicine, 18(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003664

Ross, J. A., & van Bockstaele, E. J. (2021). The locus coeruleus- norepinephrine system in stress and arousal: Unraveling historical, current, and future perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.601519

Stanford, S. C. (2020). Norepinephrine and epinephrine: Introduction. Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470015902.a0000271.pub4