AP Psych Neurotransmitters

Dopamine

Primary Function: Motor movement, alertness, reward

Low: Parkison’s disease

High: Schizophrenia

Serotonin

Primary Function: Mood control, sleep, appetite

Low: Clinical depression

Norepinephrine

Primary Function: Alertness, arousal

Low: Depression

Dysregulation: Anxiety, stress responses

Glutamate

Primary Function: Major excitatory neurotrnasmitter; memory

Excess: Migraines, seizures

GABA

Primary Function: Major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Low: Seizures, tremors, insomnia

Endorphines

Primary Functions: Pain control, natural opioids

Low: Higher pain sensitivity; opiates mimic, addiction risk

Substance P

Primary Function: Pain perception (transmission of pain)

Low: Reduced pain perception

High: Heightened pain

Acetylcholine

Primary function: Motor movement; learning & memory

Low: Alzheimer’s disease;

Ach receptor loss: muscle weakness