This week’s required and recommended materials will cover topics on  neurotransmitters, receptors, neurotransmitter systems, and their role  in cognition and behavior (both normal and abnormal).  After reading  Chapters 3 and 4 in your course text and viewing Brain and Nervous System: Your Information Superhighway, The Nervous System:  Nerves at Work,  and The Influence of Neurotransmitters complete one of the following options for your discussion:
 

Option A:   Evaluate one of the neurotransmitters covered in this week’s readings.  Explain the role it plays in modulating responses to a drug of abuse.  For example, you could choose the acetylcholine receptor system and  discuss the role this neurotransmitter plays in addiction to nicotine.  In addition to your evaluation of the specific neurotransmitter and its  associated receptor system, provide correlation to the involved  neuroanatomical structures, the contribution of genetics and environment  to the development of dependence, tolerance, and addiction to this  substance, as well as clinical treatment interventions.  
 

You  must use a minimum of one peer-reviewed source that was published within  the last five years, documented in APA style, as outlined in the  Ashford Writing Center.  Your post should be a minimum of 250 words. You  may cite and reference your textbook, required reading and/or  multimedia, but these will not fulfill the source requirement.  
 

Option B:   Evaluate one of the neurotransmitters covered in this week’s readings.  Explain the role it plays in a neurological or psychological disorder of  your choice. For example, you could choose the dopaminergic system and  discuss the role this neurotransmitter has in the development of  schizophrenia.  In addition to your evaluation of the specific  neurotransmitter and its associated receptor system, provide a  correlation to the involved neuroanatomical structures, as well as the  contribution of genetics and environment to the development and clinical  management of this disorder.  
 

You must use a minimum of one  peer-reviewed source that was published within the last five years,  documented in APA style. Your  post should be a minimum of 250 words. You may cite and reference your  textbook, required reading and/or multimedia, but these will not fulfill  the source requirement.

1. Gardner, E. T. (Executive producer).  (1998)  Brain and nervous system: Your information superhighway [Video file]. Retrieved from the Films On Demand database. This video provides information on the topic of neurotransmitters and functional pathways in the human brain.

2. Gau, J. (Executive producer), & Weitz, M. (Director). (1984). The nervous system:  Nerves at work [Video file]. Retrieved from Films On Demand. This video provides an overview of neurons and their cellular activity as the foundation of nervous system function.

3. Intelecom. (n.d.). The influence of neurotransmitters (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video  file]. Retrieved from  http://searchcenter.intelecomonline.net/playClip.aspx?fromSearch=true&searchTerm=The+influence+of+neurotransmitters+&fromMyClips=false&id=awinSfNzL00NzLD6exXHNzL&ssp=-128&lid=23595865 This video provides an overview of neurotransmitter activity in the human nervous system.