NeurotransmittersResearchers have identified over

75 chemical substances that are

manufactured in the brain, spinal cord, glands and other

parts of the body that may act as neurotransmitters.

Excitatory effects & Inhibitory effects

 Excitatory neurotransmitters trigger a nerve impulses in the receiving cell, while inhibitory neurotransmitters act to prevent further transmission of an impulse.

Useful vocabulary:

AcetyicholineAch

(ah-SEET-ul-KOH-leen)

Neurotransmitters

AcetyicholineAch

Exerts excitatory and inhibitory effects. Excitatory effects of voluntary muscles, causing them to contract so that you can move, but inhibitory effects on the muscle fibers in the heart.

Neurotransmitters

Example: When you run to class because there is a hall sweep acetyicholine helps your leg muscles contract quickly, while at the same time

preventing your heart muscles from pumping so rapidly you pass out.

Neurotransmitters

AcetyicholineAlso plays a role in REM sleep

and helping to understand and store new information. Critical for normal attention, arousal and memory. Acetyicholine is helping you right now!

Neurotransmitters

DopamineDA

(DOE-pah-meen)

Neurotransmitters

Dopamine

Produces both excitatory and inhibitory effects. *Pleasure & Mood

*Learning/Attention*Movement*Alertness

Neurotransmitters

Awakenings

Norepinephrine(nor-EP-ih-NEF-rin)

NE

Neurotransmitters

Norepinephrine(nor-EP-ih-NEF-rin)

NE

Affects*Mood

*Eating (Stimulates the intake of carbohydrates)

*Alertness*Wakefulness

*Learning

Neurotransmitters

Epinephrine(EP-ih-NEF-rin)

EPI

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(adrenaline),

Epinephrine(EP-ih-NEF-rin)

EPI(Adrenaline)

Compliments norepinephrine by affecting the metabolism of glucose and causing the nutrients stored in muscles to be released during strenuous exercise.

Neurotransmitters

Serotonin5HT

(ser-oh-TOE-nin)

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Serotonin 5HT

(ser-oh-TOE-nin)

Regulates*Sleep*Mood

*Impulsivity*Aggression

*Appetite

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Glutamate(GLOO-tah-mate)

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Glutamate(GLOO-tah-mate)

MSG

Neurotransmitters

Glutamate(GLOO-tah-mate)

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is released by about 40% of the neurons and is active in areas of the brain involved in learning, thought, and emotions.

Neurotransmitters

GABA(Short for “gamma-aminobutyric acid”)

*Controls anxiety*Sleep

*Movement

Neurotransmitters

GABA(Short for “gamma-aminobutyric acid”)

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Controls anxiety in humans. Tranquilizers, barbiturates, and alcohol appear to have a calming effect because they bind with and stimulate one type of GABA receptor, thereby increasing GABA’s anxiety controlling effect.

Neurotransmitters

Endorphins(en-DOR-fins)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjrBdKXgYFY&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=?1&safe=active

Endorphins(en-DOR-fins)

Chemicals produced naturally in the brain that reduce pain and the stress of vigorous exercise and positively affect mood.

Neurotransmitters

Endorphins(en-DOR-fins)

General feelings of well-being and pleasure. (Runner’s high.) Opiate drugs such as heroin and morphine mimic the endorphins and bind to their receptor sites.

Neurotransmitters