Neurotransmitters: list of main neurotransmitters PDF

Preview

Summary

A list of most common neurotransmitters and their functions....

Description

Neurotransmitters Researchers have identified approximately 100 different types of neurotransmitters, with many more yet to be discovered. Neurotransmitters secreted by one neuron may influence the activity of neighboring neurons, which can affect the regulation of mood, appetite, muscles, organs, arousal, and a variety of other functions. Neurotransmitter

Function

Did You Know?

Acetylcholine

Muscle movement, memory, arousal, attention

The anti-wrinkle treatment Botox paralyzes the facial muscles by preventing activity of acetylcholine, which would normally enable muscle movement (Ghose, 2014, August 18; Sinha, Hurakadli, & Yadav, 2015).

Dopamine

Coordination of muscle movement, attention, pleasure

The same dopamine circuits involved in drug addiction may also be implicated in overeating and food addiction (Hauck, Wei, Schulte, Meule, & Ellrott, 2017).

GABA

Inhibits communication between neurons

Anti-anxiety drugs, such as Valium and Xanax, work by enhancing the effects of GABA (Drexler et al., 2013).

Glutamate

Promotes communication between neurons

Glutamate is a close chemical relative to the savory food additive monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Some people believe that consuming MSG causes brain damage, but such claims are not supported by solid scientific data (Hamzelou, 2015, January 26).

Serotonin

Mood, appetite, aggression, sleep

Physical exercise may boost serotonin activity in the brain, leading to improved mood and decreased symptoms of depression (Heijnen, Hommel, Kibele, & Colzato, 2015; Wipfli, Landers, Nagoshi, & Ringenbach, 2011).

Every thought, behavior, and emotion you have ever experienced can be traced to neurotransmitter activity in the nervous system. This table outlines some unexpected effects of common neurotransmitters.

ACETYLCHOLINE Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that relays messages from neurons to muscles, thus enabling movement. Any time you move some part of your body, whether dancing your fingers across a keypad or bouncing your head to one of your favorite songs, you have, in part, acetylcholine to thank. Too much acetylcholine leads to muscle spasms; too little causes paralysis. Acetylcholine is also involved in memory; low levels in the brain have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, which can lead to problems of memory, language, and thinking . Normal acetylcholine activity can be disrupted by snake and black widow spider bites, as well as food poisoning

GLUTAMATE AND GABA Much of the communication within the nervous system involves two neurotransmitters: glutamate and GABA (short for gamma-aminobutyric acid). Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter, so its main job is to kick neurons into action (make them fire), whereas GABA is inhibitory (puts the brakes on firing). Glutamate plays a central role in learning and memory, and its underactivity is theorized to be involved in some symptoms of schizophrenia . As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA plays a role in controlling sleep and wakefulness as well as behaviors associated with fear and anxiety).

NOREPINEPHRINE Norepinephrine has a variety of effects, but one of its most important functions is to help prepare the body for stressful situations. In the brain, norepinephrine is involved in regulating arousal and sleep. It plays an important role in maintaining attention, but in some situations, high levels may lead to overarousal and hypervigilance, which could dramatically interfere with thinking and attention.

SEROTONIN Serotonin helps control appetite, aggression, and mood, and regulates sleep and breathing. Abnormally low serotonin activity is thought to drive depression. Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Prozac and Zoloft, boost the effects of this “feel good” neurotransmitter. Normally, neurotransmitters that do not connect with receptor sites can be reabsorbed by the sending axon terminal in the reuptake process. SSRIs work to prevent this reabsorption. The longer serotonin is in the synapse, the more time it has to attach to a receptor and exert its effects.

DOPAMINE Dopamine plays a key role in attention, learning through reinforcement, and regulating body movements. Irregular dopamine activity is suspected to underlie certain psychological disorders, namely schizophrenia and depression. This neurotransmitter has been implicated in the abuse of certain substances, including stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines....