Neurotransmitters

The function and more of each neurotransmitter

Acetylcholine (ACH) Function

All movement, excitatory - stimulates muscle contractions; involved in memory, learning and general intellectual functioning

Acetylcholine (ACH) effect of deficit and surplus

Deficit: Alzheimer’s and Myasthenia gravis

Surplus: Severe Muscle Spasms

Acetylcholine (ACH) Agonist (creates) and Antagonist (opposes) Drugs

Agonist: Nicotine and Black Widow Spider Venom

Antagonist: Curare, Paralysis and Botox

Dopamine Function

Produced by Subnigra, it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that contributes to pleasurable sensations and is involved in movement, attention, and learning.

Dopamine Effect of Deficit and Surplus

Deficit: Parkinson’s and ADHD

Surplus: Schizophrenia and drug addiction

Dopamine Agonist (creates) and Antagonist (opposes) Drugs

Agonist: L-Dopa, Cocaine, and Ritalin

Antagonist: Antipsychotic drugs like Thorazine

Serotonin Function

Supports well being, inhibitory: moods and emotional states

Serotonin Effect of Deficit and Surplus

Deficit: Depression and Mood Disorders

Surplus: Autism

Serotonin Agonist (creates) and Antagonist (opposes) Drugs

Agonist: Prozac and SSRIs

Antagonist: None

Norepinephrine Function

Non-adrenaline and for concentration excitatory: used for arousal in the flight/fight response, plays a role in learning and memory retrieval

Norepinephrine Effect of Deficit and Surplus

Deficit: Mental Disorders, Especially Depression and ADHD

Surplus: Anxiety

Norepinephrine Agonist (creates) and Antagonist (opposes) Drugs

Agonist: Caffeine, Amphetamines (speed), and Adderall

Antagonist: Lithium (treats Bipolar)

GABA Function

(Get A Brake Adjustment) Calming, inhibitory: helps to offset excitatory messages and regulate daily sleep-wake cycles

GABA Effect of Deficit and Surplus

Deficit: Anxiety

Surplus: Sleep and Eating Disorders and Narcolepsy

GABA Agonist (creates) and Antagonist (opposes) Drugs

Agonist: Valium, Xanax and Ritalin (for Narcolepsy)

Antagonist: None

Endorphins Function

Euphoria and happiness, inhibitory: involved in pain perception and positive emotions, and moods

Endorphins Effect of Deficit and Surplus

Deficit: Body experiences pain

Surplus: Body may not give adequate warning about pain and artificial highs

Endorphins Agonist (creates) and Antagonist (opposes) Drugs

Agonist: Opiates (treat pain), Codeine, Heroin, and Morphine

Antagonist: Naloxone

Glutamate Function

Excitatory: Used in memory formation, learning, and movement, strengthens neural connections

Glutamate Effect of Deficit and Surplus

Deficit: None

Surplus: Too much Glutamate and too little GABA associated with epileptic seizures and migraines

Glutamate Agonist (creates) and Antagonist (opposes)

Agonist: None

Antagonist: Topiramate

Substance-P

Neuropeptide involved in pain perception, mood, nausea, and sexual behavior. *in both Peripheral and Central NS*