NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND LEARNING

Leah Paraskevas

EDU417: Cognitive Studies Capstone

Instructor: Ciara Smack

September 10, 2014

Dopamine Helps the central nervous system (Anonymous. 2014)

Is a key player in motivation and reward in the brain (Anonymous. 2014)

Member of the catecholamine family (Adrenaline and noradrenaline) (Anonymous. 2014)

Also affects memory and moods (Anonymous. 2014)

Serotonin This controls moods and without it a person

becomes depressed. (Anonymous1. (2014)

It also controls appetite and bowels. (Anonymous1. (2014)

It can also control sleep and memory. (Anonymous1. (2014)

MovementDopamine

Neurons in the brain will send out Dopamine into a synapse. Then the dopamine goes into the nerve cell. If there is not enough or more than enough then there will not be smooth movement (DietBuddy. 2007)

SerotoninIt controls the release of dopamine and is involved in aided potassium channels, while blocking calcium channels.

SleepDopamine

When dopamine attaches itself to certain neurons it lowers another neurotransmitter (melatonin). This causes a person to wake up. This is because the neuron that attracts dopamine is right outside a gland that controls your internal clock (Welsh, 2012).

SerotoninWhen someone is awake their serotonin levels are at its highest controling different systems like the central nervous system. When someone is asleep (especially in rem cycle) serotonin is at its lowest. It is an excitable neurotransmitter that helps us feel excited and can wake us up it the levels are to high.

NutritionDopamine

There are foods that can raise the levels of dopamine to help with moods and attitudes. Chicken, cheese, bananas and apples are just a few of the foods (Dr. Mercola. 2008).

Serotonin Carbohydrates helps the brain produce serotonin. They enter the bloodstream quickly and will raise the serotonin levels, this will last two hours (McLaughlin, 2014).

LearningDopamine

For humans dopamine is released when we are do something exciting. Learning something new is always exciting and always an adventure. Because of this dopamine will help us retain the information that is gained. If for some reason it is not released the information will not be retained and will be lost until learned again (Burns, M. (2012).

SerotoninSerotonin is involved with sensory perception. So when experiencing something new and sensing something new there is more serotonin to help with the memory of the senses (Lahey, & Rosen, 2014).

FactorsNeurochemical

If the student has a dopamine or serotonin deficiency. Then it could impact not only learning but, also mood. This can make it extremely hard for the student to remember new information or even use the information later. This deficiency can also hinder the student from having a good mood toward learning or others.

EnvironmentalThere can be environmental factors as well. For example, if the students family is not supportive in the learning the student can have a hard time. Another is if the student Poor sleep schedule can be another factor. Because of lack of sleep the student can have a hard time concentrating on the teacher and/or lesson.

Reference Anonymous. (2014). What is Dopamine?

Retrieve from: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-dopamine.htm# Anonymous1. (2014). What is serotonin? What does serotonin do?

Retrieve from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248.php Burns, M. (2012). Dopamine and Learning: What The Brain’s Reward Center Can Teach

Educators. Retrieved from: http://www.scilearn.com/blog/dopamine- learning-brains- reward-center-teach-educators

DietBuddy. (2007). How Our Brain Controls Our Movement. Retrieve from: http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Parkinson/pd_brain.htm

Dr. Mercola. (2008). Foods That Increase Dopamine Naturally. Retrieved from: http://www.athleticrunner.com/showthread.php?t=2091

Hurd, R. (2011). How Does Serotonin Affect Sleep?

Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/136959-how-does- serotonin-affect- sleep/ Lahey, M. & Rosen, S. (2014). Neurotransmitters and Learning, Memory and Developmental

Disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/allergies/developmentaldisorderslearningmemory2.htm l

McLaughlin, A. (2014). Foods That Increase Serotonin and Induce Sleep. Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/294169-foods-that- increase-serotonin-and-induce-sleep

Welsh, J. (2012). Feel-Good Brain Chemical's Role in Sleep. Retrieved from: http://www.livescience.com/21050-feel-good-brain-chemical-s-role-in-sleep.html

Reference Cont.