Neural firing

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory.

With Alzheimer's disease, ACh-producing neurons deteriorate.

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion.

Oversupply --> schizophrenia Undersupply --> tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's disease

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal.

Undersupply --> depression. Antidepressant drugs raise serotonin levels

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal

Undersupply can depress mood

GABA

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Undersupply --> seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

Oversupply --> over stimulates the brain --> migraines and seizures (why lots of people avoid MSG in their food)

Endorphins

Diminishes the perception of pain and acts as a natural sedativeUndersupply --> can cause depression, anxiety and moodiness