AP Psychology Unit One: Different types of Neurotransmitters and their function

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Function: Enables muscle action, learning, and memory

Examples: With Alzheimer’s disease, ACh-producing neurons deteriorate

Dopamine

Function: Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Examples: Oversupply is linked to schizophrenia; undersupply is linked to tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson’s disease

Serotonin

Function: Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Examples: Undersupply is linked to depression. Some drugs that raise serotonin levels are used to treat depression

Nonrepinephrine

Function: Helps control alertness and arousal

Examples: Undersupply can depress mood

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Function: A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Examples: Undersupply is linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Glutamate

Function: A majory excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Example: Oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

Endorphins

Function: Neurotransmitters that influence the perception of pain or pleasure

Examples: An oversupply of opioid drugs can suppress the body’s natural endorphin supply

Substance P

Function: Involved in pain perception and immune response

Examples: Oversupply can lead to chronic pain