The Chemistry of Behavior: Neurotransmitters and Neuropharmacology

Acetylcholine (ACh) 

Excitatory neuromuscular junction; modulates attention, memory, autonomic function

Glutamate

Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS 

GABA

Main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the CNS

Dopamine 

Modulates movement, motivations, reward, learning 

Serotonin (5-HT) 

mood, appetite, sleep, arousal, pain 

Norepinephrine (NE) 

Arousal, attention, stress, response 

Synaptic cleft

gap that separates pre and synaptic membranes

Neurotransmitters

a molecule released from the presynaptic terminal of a neuron. It crosses the synaptic and binds to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, changing that cell’s electrical or chemical activity

Cholinergic

uses acetylcholine as its main neurotransmitter. It’s involved in many brain functions like attention, memory, and muscle control