Psychopathology & Mental Health Neurotransmitters

acetylcholine

influences attention and memory, dream and sleep states, and muscle activation; has excitatory and inhibitory effects

dopamine

influences motivation and reward-seeking behaviors; regulates movement, emotional responses, attention, and planning; has excitatory and inhibitory effects

epinephrine and nonrepinephrine

excitatory functions including regulating attention, arousal and concentration, dreaming, and moods; as a hormone, influences physiological reactions related to stress response (constricted attention, blood flow, heart rate, etc)

glutamate

major excitatory neurotransmitter involved in cognition, memory, and learning

gamma-aminobutyric acid

major inhibitory neurotransmitter; calms the nerves; regulates mood and muscle tone

serotonin

inhibitory effects temperature, mood, appetite, and sleep; reduced serotonin can increase impulsive behavior and agression