Clinical Neurochemistry

Clinical Neurochemistry is the field of neurological biochemistry which relates biochemical phenomena to clinical symptomatic manifestations in humans.

Neuropharmagology
Cells communicate via chemical synapses.

Neurologically Active Substances
There are many biologically active chemicals which elicit an effect on the nervous system.

Excitatory and Inhibitory Amino Acids
Excitatory Amino Acids include Glutamate, whereas inhibitory Amino Acids include GABA and Glycine.

GABA Receptors
AMPA Receptors, Kainate Receptors, and NMDA Receptors

Widely Projecting Systems
Catecholamines, serotonin, acetylcholine, histaime, and orexins.

Neuropeptides
Synthesis, storage, and release. Examples include brady kinin, cholecystokinin, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), galanin, MCH, MSH, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Neurotensin, Opioids, orexin, oxytocin, somatostatin, tacykinins, TRH, CUP, and vasopressin.

Atypical Neurotransmitters
Purines, endogenous cannabinoids, gasses, neurotrophix factors, chemokines, and VEGF.

Clinical Neurological Disorders
Changes in the homeostasis of many neurologically active chemicals elicit clinical disorders and symptoms.

Pain and Inflammation
Fundamentals of nociception, the pain pathways, and sensitization. Anti-inflammatory drugs, opiate drugs, and other drugs help. Damage leads to chronic pain and dorsal horn NMDA receptor plasticity.

Sleep and Arousal
Active processes in the brain, REM and non-REM sleep, circadian rhythms. Disorders such as narcolepsy, insomnia, analgesia, immobility, and hypnosis. Benzodiazepines and related drugs are the most common pharmacologic treatments.

Higher Cognitive Function and Behavior
Executive function, cognitive control of behavior, working memory, attention, dopamine D1 receptors and adronergic receptors, OCD, short and long-term memory. Structures such as the medial temporal lobe, straitum, synaptic activity, emotions. Effects of monoamines, acetylcholine, and dopamine on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or even normal aging.

Mood and Emotion
Emotions, fear, and the amygdala. Anxiety, mood disorders, genes and environmental causes, and bipolar disorder. Depression and monoamine treatment (serotonin, norepinephrine). Molecular targets, pharmacological therapies, and lithium mechanisms.

Reinforcement and Addictive Disorders
Behavior, addiction, and the reward/reinforcement pathways. VTA and NAc regions of the brain. Tolerance sensitization, dependence, addiction, tolerance, and plasticity. Effects of opiates, ethanol, nicotine, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, marijuana, PCP and ketamine. For example, cocaine is extremely addictive.

Schizophrenia and other Psychoses
Causes and symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, delisions, amotivation, social withdrawl, cognitive defects, and poor working memory. GEnetic sources, loss of gray matter, and familial effects. Treatments include antipsychotics, antischizophrenics, dopamine D2 receptor activity, and slow drug activity mechanisms.

Neurodegeneration
Alzheimer's disease and parkinson's disease are characterized by a large loss of neurons. Major processes include apoptosis and necrosis and involve mitochondrial function. Amyloid processing and dopamine loss in Alzheimers, alpha-synuclein and Parkinsons, and glutamate residues for huntingtons disease.

Seizure Disorders
Seizure classification, formation, propogation, and succession. Focal, one hemisphere, or both hemispheres. Biochemical imbalances, metabolome, and genetic analysis. Synapses involved are GABA mediated.

Stroke
Disrupted blood flow, ischemia, anoxia, and related physical phenomena. Biochemical pathways and signaling responses to low oxygen. Free radicals, apoptosis, and necrosis. Heparin treatment, and other anticoagulants.

Migraine
Migraine causes and symptoms. Cortical spreading and norepinephrine in trigeminal nerve terminals. Treatments, including prophylactic abortive strategies and triptan drugs.