Types of Location Effects Functions Related Disorders

Neurotransmitters and Symptoms

A. Acetylcholine A small molecule neurotransmitter created by adding an acetyl group to
a choline molecule. A neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions at
many of the synapses of the autonomic nervous system and at synapses
in several parts of central nervous system.
Acetylcholine Brain, spinal Excitatory in Cognitive Deficiency:
cord, PNS, brain and functioning Alzheimer’s disease;
especially autonomic (learning and delusion; paralysis
some organs nervous memory) Excess: convulsions;
of the system; Skeletal muscle spasms; tremors
parasympathe Inhibitory in movement
tic nervous cardiovascular contraction
system muscles
B. Monoamine Synthesized from a single amino acid hence the name monoamine (one
amine) and slightly larger than amino acid neurotransmitters and their
effect tend to be more diffuse.
1. Dopamine brain Excitatory/inhi Motor activity Deficiency;
bitory and Parkinson’s disease;
coordination; mood disorders;
learning and manic depression
memory; Excess:
attention; Schizophrenic
emotional reactions;
response aggression
2. Epinephrine Brain stem excitatory Alertness and Deficiency:
wakefulness(sl Depression; bipolar
eep and eating disorder; fatigue;
behavior memory
regulator) impairment
Excess: anxiety;
schizophrenia,
hyperactivity
3. Norephinephrine Brain stem excitatory Alertness and Deficiency:
(NE) wakefulness(sl Depression; bipolar
eep and eating disorder; fatigue;
behavior memory
regulator) impairment
Excess: anxiety;
schizophrenia,
hyperactivity
4. Serotonin Brain, spinal Inhibitory Regulates Deficiency:
cord mood, sleep, Insomnia;
impulsivity and depression(usually
pain, found in suicidal
aggression, and patients);
appetite
 alcoholism; eating
disorder; aggression
Excess: sleepiness;
lack of motivation
C. Amino Acid The neurotransmitters in the vast majority of fast-acting, directed
synapses in the central nervous system and the molecular building
blocks of protein.
1. Glutamate Brain, spinal Primary Learning, Mood
cord Excitatory memory,
anxiety,
emotions
2. Aspartate Brain, spinal Stimulatory promote a Huntington's
cord robust disease; liver
metabolism; disease;
promotes a cardiovascular
transportation disease
of minerals to
the cells, which
are essential to
form healthy
RNA and DNA;
stimulating an
increased
production of
immunoglobuli
ns and
antibodies.
3. Glycine Brain, spinal Inhibitory regulate the Hyperglycinemia;
cord synthesis of the Lethargy; Muscle
bile acid Hypotonia;
utilized to help Apnea
you digest fats;
help create
muscle tissues;
convert
glucose into
energy
4. Gamma Brain, spinal Primary Facilitates the Deficiency: Anxiety;
Amino-butyric cord Inhibitory control of panic depression;
Acid (GABA) anxiety and epilepsy/seizures;
arousal; Huntington’s chorea
learning Excess: sluggish;
lack of motivation
D. Neuropeptides Functions in multiple capacities and not just as neurotransmitters.
Small protein-like molecules (peptides) used by neurons to communicate
with each other. They are neuronal signaling molecules that influence
the activity of the brain and the body in specific ways.
1. Pituitary peptides Brain Inhibitory Contains Craniopharyngioma;
neuropeptides Cushing's Disease;
that were first Diabetes Insipidus;
identified as Hypopituitarism;
hormones Non-functioning
released by tumors;
pituitary Prolactinoma
2. Hypothalamic Brain Inhibitory Contains sensitivity to cold;
peptides neuropeptides depression;
that were first tiredness;
identified as impotence;
hormones hair loss;
released by menstrual cycle
hypothalamus changes;
constipation;
lower mental
capacity;
weight gain
3. Brain-gut peptides Brain Inhibitory Contains Anxiety; depression;
neuropeptides addictive behaviors
that were first
discovered in
the gut
4. Opioid peptides Brain Inhibitory Contains Alzheimer's disease;
neuropeptides Huntington's
that are similar disease
in structure to
the active
ingredients of
opium
5. Miscellaneous Brain Inhibitory Contains all of Diabetes
peptides the
neuropeptides
transmitters
that do not fit
into one of the
four categories
E. Unconventional Produced in neural cytoplasm and immediately diffused through the cell
Neurotransmitters membrane into the extracellular fluid and then into nearby cells.
1. Soluble gas synaptic Stimulatory Involve in Chronic obstructive
neurotransmitters vesicles, retrograde pulmonary disease
(nitric oxide and clustered transmission;
carbon monoxide) close to the transmit
cell feedback
membrane at signals from
the axon the post
terminal of synaptic
 the neuron back to
presynaptic the presynaptic
neuron neuron
2. Endocannabinoids central and Inhibitory Inhibits Struggle with
peripheral subsequent insomnia to the
nervous synaptic point of taking
systems transmission medication;
Anxiety;
Anger management
issues;
Depression;
Conditions
associated with
heightened
inflammation
throughout your
body like arthritis;
Bone loss
3. Anandamide Cell Inhibitory Synthesize Fibromyalgia;
membrane fatty Pain;
compounds Anorexia;
Depression;
Irritable Bowel
Syndrome (IBS)
Migraines;
Multiple Sclerosis
(MS);
Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder
(PTSD);
Huntington’s;
Parkinson’s;
Motion Sickness;
Autism