Neurokemijska podloga halucinacija

undergraduate thesis

• Title (english): The neurochemical basis of hallucinations
• Author: Mirna Kassal
• Mentor: Dubravka Hranilović (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2013, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Halucinacije su pogrešne, odnosno lažne percepcije koje se događaju bez nekog vanjskog podražaja. Javljaju se kod niza bolesti, kao što su shizofrenija, bipolarni poremećaj, demencija, epilepsija i druge. Također mogu biti posljedica zloupotrebe halucinogenih droga. Na području halucinacija dosta su se proučavali neurotransmiteri dopamin i serotonin. Dopamin ima jednu od glavnih uloga u sustavu za nagrađivanje, a kod shizofrenije je njegova razina povećana, te se smatra da je upravo to uzrok simptoma bolesti. Isto tako je povećana kod konzumacije različitih droga (amfetamin, LSD, kokain), te se tada kao posljedica mogu pojaviti simptomi slični onima u shizofreniji. Serotonin ima ulogu u regulaciji raspoloženja, učenja i pamćenja. Razni poremećaji se povezuju s niskim razinama serotonina, te se u skladu s tim smatra da je serotonergična aktivnost kod shizofrenije smanjena. Činjenica da je LSD serotoninski agonist, a da su mnogi antipsihotici njegovi antagonisti ide u korist hipotezi da je i serotonin povezan s natankom psihotičnih efekata. Time se zaključuje da su i dopamin i serotonin uključeni u proces nastanka halucinacija. Ne zna se točno zašto ni kako nastaju halucinacije, niti zašto dolazi do povećanja razine dopamina. Neki znanstvenici tvrde da jednostavno dolazi do prekomjernog stvaranja, dok drugi misle da se stvara u normalnim količinama, ali da se ne degradira pravilno. No, smatra se da je upravo nepravilna neurotransmisija uzrokovana povećanom količinom dopamina zaslužna za nastanak halucinacija.

Abstract (english)

Hallucinations are false perceptions in the absence of external stimulus. They are a part of many diseases, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, epilepsy and others. They can also be the result of drug abuse. During the research of hallucinations a lot of research was done on the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine has a great role in the reward system of the brain. Its level in schizophrenia is increased and this is considered the main cause of the symptoms of the disease. Dopamine level which is also increased during the consummation of several drugs (amphetamine, LSD, cocain) can induce symptoms similar to those in schizophrenia. Serotonin has a role in the regulation of mood, cognition and memory. Different disorders are linked to decreased levels of serotonin and accordingly, it is believed that the serotonergic activity in schizophrenia is decreased. The fact that LSD is a serotonin agonist and that many antipsyhotics are serotonin antagonists speaks in favor of the hypothesis that serotonin is linked to psychotic efects. This leads to the conclusion that both dopamine and serotonin are included in the proces of hallucinations. It is not known exactly why or how hallucinations occur, or why there is an increase in dopamine level. Some scientist believe that there is simply too much synthesis, while others think the synthesis is normal, but that dopamine doesn't degrade properly. In conclusion, it is considered that irregular neurotransmission due to the increased levels of dopamine is responslible for hallucinations.

• Keywords: halucinacije; dopamin; serotonin
• Keywords (english): hallucinations; dopamine; serotonin
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:369049
• Study programme: Title: Molecular Biology; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) molekularne biologije (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) molekularne biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2018-04-24 09:24:59