Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, or from neurons to other cells. Neurotransmitters may transmit signals across neuromuscular junctions, between muscle cells, gland cells, and immune cells.

Over 100 substances that act as neurotransmitters to have been identified. The most common are:

• Amino acids:
  • Excitatory: glutamate (glutamic acid), aspartate (aspartic acid)
  • Inhibitory: gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine
• Monoamines:
  • Catecholamines
  • Dopaminergic - dopamine (DA)
  • Adrenergic - norepinephrine (noradrenaline; NE, NA), epinephrine (adrenaline)
  • Indoleamine: serotonin (SER, 5-HT)
  • Other: histamine
• Cholinergic neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh)
• Trace amines: phenethylamine, N-methylphenethylamine, tyramine, 3-iodothyronamine, octopamine, tryptamine, etc.
• Unusual neurotransmitters:
  • Gasotransmitters - nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
  • Endogenous cannabis: Endocannabinoids, Zinc
  • D-serine
• Peptides:
• somatostatin, substance P, cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript, opioid peptides
• Putative neurotransmitters:
  • prostaglandins
  • adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine
• Others: anandamide, etc.: anandamide, etc.

Growing or originating from within an organism.

endogenous Growing or originating from within an organism.

See glutamate.

glutamate (Glu) - Glutamate is one of the amino acids used by the body to make proteins. It is a salt or ester of glutamic acid, and the terms glutamate and glutamic acid are often used interchangeably. It also functions as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

indoleamine (IDO) - any derivatives of an indole (e.g., serotonin, tryptophan) that contain an amine group

cholinergic Involving the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Cholinergic side effects include diarrhea, blurred vision, decreased intraocular pressure, contricted pupil in the eyes, sweating, increased saliva and mucus on the lungs, bronchial constriction, increased gastrointestinal tone, decreased blood pressure, slow heart rate, and contraction of bladder detrusor muscle. muscle spasms/cramps, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, nausea and vomiting, increased saliva and sweating, shortness of breath, and urinating more often.

anticholinergic (ACh) - Involving blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Anticholinergic side effects may include dilated pupils in the eyes, photophobia, dry mouth, decreased mucus in the lungs, respiratory depression, decreased gastrointestinal motility, constipation, decreased then increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations, urinary retention, vasodilation, drowsiness, confusion, and agitation, and decreased sweating.

endogenous Growing or originating from within an organism.