ap psych neurotransmitters

acetylcholine (ACh)

enables muscle action, learning, and memory

undersupply = Alzheimer’s disease

dopamine

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

oversupply = schizophrenia

undersupply = tremors, Parkinson’s disease (decreased mobility)

serotonin

affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

undersupply = depression

norepinephrine

helps control alertness and arousal

undersupply = depressed mood

GABA (gamma-aminobotyric acid)

major inhibitory neurotransmitter (slows down or blocks nerve signals)

undersupply = seizures, tremors, insomnia

glutamate

major excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in memory

oversupply = overstimulation of the brain → migraines, seizures

endorphins

influence the perception of pain or pleasure

oversupply of opioids = suppressed natural supply

epinephrine

aka adrenaline

in response to stress or excitement

triggers “fight or flight”

oversupply = heart attack, stroke, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), pancreatitis, kidney damage

undersupply = chronic fatigue

substance p

involved in pain perception and immune response

oversupply = chronic pain