acetylcholine (ACh)
Released by motor neurons controlling skeletal muscles. It Contributes to the regulation of attention, arousal, and memory. Some of its receptors are stimulated by nicotine (associated with Alzheimer's Disease) Deficiency - Alzheimer's
Curare poisoning paralyzes its victims by blocking ACh receptors involved in muscle movement
dopamine (DA)
Voluntary movement -Alertness - Attention -Rewards -Emotion Excess - Schizophrenia Deficiency - Parkinson's Disease
norepinephrine (NE)
-"Fight or flight" response: elevates heart rate, circulation, respiration; slows digestion -Controls alertness, arousal -Mood elevation Deficiency - Depression, ADHD Excess - Anxiety, High blood pressure
serotonin
-Mood regulation -Hunger/Appetite --Arousal Deficiency - Depression (Treated with SSRI's - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed in uptake, leaving more in synapses) Excess - Anxiety, OCD, Insomnia, Hypermania (associated with Depressive disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorders, Eating disorders)
GABA
Brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter Deficiency - Seizures, Insomnia
glutamate
Brain's main (agonist) excitatory neurotransmitter -Creates links between neurons that form basis of learning, long-term memory. Excess - Multiple sclerosis Excess - Seizures & Migraines(Avoid foods with MSG - monosodium glutamate; overstimulate brain)
Acetylcholine
Alzheimers
Dopamine
oversupply = Schizophrenia, termors, Parkinson's
Serotonin
Undersupply = Depression
Norepinephrine
oversupply can depress mood
GABA
undersupply = Seizures, tremors, insomnia
Glutamate
Oversupply can overstimulate brain, migranes or seizures
Endorphins
-Pain control & relief - Stress reduction -Feelings of pleasure -Natural opiates Deficiency - Addiction Potentially involved in addiction Morphine is an agonist for endorphins
Endorphins
undersupply - Addiction Potentially involved in addiction
Endorphins
oversupply can lead to insensitivity to pain/little pain