AP Psychology Nerotransmitters

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory. If ACh-producing neurons deteriorate (as in Alzheimer's disease), there are impairments.

Dopamine

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion. Oversupply is linked to schizophrenia. Undersupply causes tremors and decreased mobility in Parkinson's disease.

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal. Undersupply is linked to depression; drugs that raise serotonin treat depression.

Norepinephrine

Helps control alertness and arousal. Undersupply can depress mood.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia.

Glutamate

A major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory. Oversupply overstimulates the brain, causing migraines or seizures.

Endorphins

Neurotransmitters that influence pain or pleasure perception. Oversupply with opioid drugs can suppress the body's natural endorphin supply.

Substance P

Involved in pain perception and immune response. Oversupply can cause chronic pain.