NEUROTRANSMITTERS

NEUROTRANSMITTERS

chemicals made by neurons, or nerve cells.

Neurons send out neurotransmitter as
chemical signals to activate or inhibit the
function of neighboring cells.
molecules that are released from active
neurons and influence the activity of the
other cells.
In the central nervous system, which
consists of the brain and the spinal cord,
neurotransmitters pass from neuron to
neuron.
In the peripheral nervous system, which is
made up of the nerves that run from the
central nervous system to the rest of the
body, the chemical signals pass between a
neuron and an adjacent muscle or gland
cell.
 TYPES OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS
1. The first of the three families is composed of
amines, a group of compounds containing molecules of
carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. Among the amine
neurotransmitters:
Acetylcholine
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Serotonin
2. Amino Acid neurotransmitter is a chemical
substance which is able to transmit nerve message
across a synapse.
Glycine
Aspartic acid
Glutamic Acid
GABA

3. Peptides are compounds that contain at least 2,

and sometimes as many as 100 amino acids.
ACETYLCHOLINE
Acetylcholine (Ach) is the most common
neurotransmitter. It is located both in central
nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous
system (PNS).
It was the first neurotransmitter being identified. It
was discovered by Henry Hallet Dale in 1914 and its
existence later confirmed by Otto Loewi.
 Acetylcholine acts as a neuromodulator in the CNS and
PNS. Rather than, engaging in direct synaptic
transmission between specific neurons, neuromodulator act
on variety of neurons throughout the nervous system.

Some foods that contain acetylcholine: Liver, egg yolk,

cheese, nuts, oatmeal and soybeans.
 Drugs and medications can interfere with the
manufacture and effectiveness of acetylcholine. It is
thought that Alzheimers disease, which is characterized
by severe disturbances in brain function, may be linked
to lack of acetylcholine.
Patients with acetylcholine deficiency can develop
issues like trouble forming and retrieving memories as
well as uncontrolled muscle movements and tremors. As
adults age, they tend to produce less acetylcholine, and
this leads to issues like age-associated memory loss.
SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF ACETYLCHOLINE
DEFECIENCY
1. Difficulty remembering names and faces after meeting
people.
2. Difficulty remembering peoples birthdays and numbers.
3. Difficulty remembering lists, directions or instructions.
4. Forgetting common facts.
5. Trouble understanding spoken or written language
6. Forget where I put things (e.g. keys)
7. Making simple mistakes at work.
8. Slowed and/or confused thinking.
 SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF ACETYLCHOLINE
DEFECIENCY
9. Difficulty finding the right words before speaking.
10. Disorientation
11. Prefer to do things alone than in groups/ social withdrawal
12.Rarely feel passionate
13.Feel despair and lack joy.
14.Lost some of my creativity/lack imagination
15.Dry mouth
FACTORS WHICH REDUCE ACETYLCHOLINE
LEVELS
1. Choline deficiency
2. B1 and B5 deficiency
3. Chronic stress
4. Inadequate sleep
5. Elevated blood sugar/ insulin resistance
6. Mercury, lead, aluminum, PCBs, fertilizers, pesticides
and EMF exposure
7. Over-methylation
DOPAMINE
Dopamine plays a significant role in the cardiovascular, renal,
hormonal, and central nervous system. It is thought to control
processes as diverse as movement to drug addiction.
Functions depends on the type of receptor.
1. involved in pleasure
2. involved motor control of muscles in the body
3. assists in normal brain function(thoughts)
4. induces emotions
DOPAMINE-RELATED DISEASES
1. Dopamine deficiency in the striatum or substantia nigra
results in Parkinsons like symptoms. In this case,
movement becomes slow and rigid, accompanied by
muscle tremor.
2. An excessive amount of dopamine is affiliated with
schizophrenia, characterized by altered behavior and
delusions.
3. A deficiency of dopamine is a leading candidate for the
etiology of certain symptoms of depression.
RESEARCH INVOLVING DOPAMINE
May have a role in obesity
May have a role in drug addiction
May have a role in alcoholism
May use dopamine derivatives to treat disease.
 NOREPINEPHRINE
HORMONE
As a stress, hormone, norepinephrine affects parts of the brain,
such as the amygdala, where attention and responses are controlled. It
also underlies the fight-or-flight response, along with epinephrine,
directly increasing heart rate, triggering the release of glucose from
energy stores, and increasing blood flow to skeletal muscle. It increases
the brains oxygen supply.
DRUG
In increases blood pressure by increasing vascular tone (tension of
vascular smooth muscle) through adrenergic receptor activation.
AS A NEUROTRANSMITTER
It releases from the synaptic neurons that affects the heart.
An increase in norepinephrine from the sympathetic
nervous system increases the rate of contractions in the
heart.
Norepinephrine is important in learning, emotion, sleeping,
dreaming and learning.
Norepinephrine may be used for the indications of
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression and
hypotension.
 SEROTONIN
It is popularly thought to be a contributor to feelings and well-
being and happiness.
Among its many functions, serotonin is released from blood
cells called platelets to activate blood vessel constriction and
blood clotting.
In the gastrointestinal tract, serotonin inhibits gastric acid
production and stimulates muscle contraction in the intestinal
wall.
Its function in the central nervous system and effects on
human behavior- including mood, memory and appetite
control.
Other functions of serotonin:
Temperature regulation
Mood, behavior (including sexual and hallucinogenic
behavior)
Cardiovascular Function
Muscle Contraction
Endocrine Regulation
Depression
 Serotonin is perhaps the most implicated in
the treatment of various disorders, including:
Anxiety
Depression Too little serotonin- depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Too much serotonin- excessive
Schizophrenia nerve cell activity (serotonin
Stroke syndrome
Obesity
Pain
Hypertension
Vascular Disorder
Migraine
Nausea
GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA)
Chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the
mammalian central nervous system
First synthesized in 1883: discovered to be present in
the brain by the year 1950
Made in brain cells from glutamate, and functions as
an inhibitory neurotransmitter-meaning that it
blocks nerve impulses.
FUNCTIONS
1. Acts in an inhibitory manner, tending to cause nerves to calm
down
2. Aids in relaxation and decrease epileptic seizures and muscles
spasms
3. Stimulates the secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary and
can help to increase lead body mass
4. Lowers blood pressure, helps control hypoglycemia (deficiency of
glucose in the bloodstream), prevents anxiety and promotes sleep.
RELATED DISEASE:
Too little GABA or Low GABA activity in the brain may cause:
1. Anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, seizure disorders
2. Conditions such as addiction, headaches, Parkinsons syndrome,
and cognitive impairment
3. Can cause Spastic Diplegia (little's disease)