Today’s post is an update to this old one on the chemical structures of neurotransmitters. Your thought processes are the results of some pretty complex chemistry, and these compounds are some of the chemical entities involved in it. Below is given a little more detail on each, lifted from the original graphics.

I selected these neurotransmitters as they are some of the most well-known – however, there are in fact over 100 known agents that can act as neurotransmitters. In general, communication between neurons in the brain is accomplished by the movement of neurotransmitting chemicals across the gap (synapse) between them. They are released from the ‘terminal’ of one neuron, and accepted by the receptor on the next neuron. The effect that this process has will depend on the class of neurotransmitter.

There are two main classes of neurotransmitter: excitatory and inhibitory. Excitatory neurotransmitters cause neurons to fire ‘action potentials’ – essentially an electrical signal – whilst inhibitory neurotransmitters prevent action potentials being fired. Action potentials play an important role in cell to cell communication; for example, in muscle cells, the firing of an action potential will eventually lead to contraction.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone produced in high stress or exciting situations. It stimulates increased heart rate, contracts blood vessels, and dilates airways, to increase blood flow to the muscles & oxygen to the lungs. This leads to a physical boost, and heightened awareness. EpiPens, which are used to treat allergic reactions, work by injecting adrenaline.

Noradrenaline

Noradrenaline, also known as norepinephrine, is a neurotransmitter that affects attention & and responding actions in the brain. Alongside adrenaline, it is also involved in the ‘fight or flight’ response. Its effect in the body is to contract blood vessels to increase blood flow. Patients diagnosed with ADHD will often be prescribed drugs designed to help increase levels of noradrenaline in the brain.

Dopamine

Dopamine is associated with feelings of pleasure & satisfaction. It is also associated with addiction, movement, and motivation. The feelings of satisfaction caused by dopamine can become desired, and to satisfy this the person will repeat behaviours that lead to release of dopamine. These behaviours can be natural, as with eating and sex, or unnatural, as with drug addiction.

Serotonin

Serotonin is thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness. It regulates the sleep cycle along with melatonin, and also regulates intestinal movements. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression, anxiety, and some mental disorders. Antidepressants work by increasing serotonin levels. Exercise and light levels can also both have positive effects on the levels of serotonin.

GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain; its role is to calm firing nerves in the central nervous system.Increased levels improve mental focus and relaxation, whilst low levels can cause anxiety, and have also been linked with epilepsy. GABA also contributes to motor control and vision. Drugs to treat epilepsy often act by increasing levels of GABA in the brain.

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine, often shortened to ACh, is the principal neurotransmitter involved in thought, learning and memory. In the body, it is involved in activating muscle action. Damage to the acetylcholine producing areas of the brain has been linked with the memory deficits associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Acetylcholine is also associated with attention, and enhancement of sensory perception upon waking.

Glutamate

Glutamate is the most common neurotransmitter in the brain, and is involved in cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. It also regulates brain development and creation of nerve contacts. Glutamate is actually toxic to neurons in larger quantities, and if too much is present it can kill them; brain damage or strokes can lead to the creation of a harmful excess, killing brain cells.

Endorphins

Endorphins are a range of compounds, the biologically active section of which is shown above, formed from long chains of multiple amino acids. They are released in the brain during exercise, excitement, pain, and sexual activity, and produce a feeling of well-being or even euphoria. At least 20 types of endorphins have been identified in humans. Certain foods, such as chocolate & spicy foods, can also stimulate the release of endorphins.

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References & Further Reading

Brain Basics – National Institute of Mental Health

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