Common Neurotransmitters - KEY

Neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine (Ach)

Function
Enables Muscle Action (movement),
Learning, Memory

Excitatory

Examples of Malfunctions

Alzheimers disease: too little effects memo

Ach-producing neurons deteriorate in
hippocampus deteriorate causing memory
problems
Botulism poison blocks Ach leads to paralyze
respiratory muscles

Black Widow bite too much - muscles in viol

convulsions

Dopamine
Inhibitory

Influences movement, learning,

attention, and emotion
Movement and reward
Strongly associated with reward
mechanisms in brain

Excess dopamine receptor activity linked to

schizophrenia (positive symptoms)

Starved of dopamine, the brain produces trem

and decreased mobility of Parkinsons disease

Play part of rewarding property in drugs

like cocaine, alcohol, opium, heroin,
nicotine THESE INCREASE
DOPAMINE

Serotonin

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and

arousal, impulsivity

Inhibitory

Undersupply linked OCD, anxiety, mood

disorders(depression), anger control, insomnia
and suicide
Prozac and other antidepressant increase
serotonin levels

Drink warm milk at night help you sleep

because contains and amino acid that brain u
to make serotonin (relax)

Plays a role in schizophrenia, may interact wit

dopamine system to alter the way it operates.

Norepinephrine
Excitatory

Aka Noradrenaline

Helps control alertness and arousal

Mood, sleep, learning

*Role in perception: LSD attaches to serotoni

receptor cites blocking perceptual paths
Undersupply can depress mood
Oversupply insomnia

Increases heart rate and slows

digestion during stress

Common Neurotransmitters - KEY

Neurotransmitter
GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid)
Inhibitory

Function

Examples of Malfunctions

A major (best known) inhibitory

neurotransmitter

Undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and

insomnia

Sleep; movement

Anxiety, Huntingtons disease, epilepsy

Seems needed to keep neuron activity

in check

Too little GABA also may be anxiety drugs

Valium works by enhancing effects of GABA
Too little GABA in some brain areas can be
epilepsy

Glutamate
Excitatory

Major excitatory neurotransmitter

Involved in memory
Most common in CNS as much as
of all brain neurons
CuriouslyActually toxic to neurons
and an excess will kill them

Oversupply over stimulate brain leading to

migraines or seizures (why some avoid MSG,
monosodium glutamate, in food)

Damage after stroke

Sometimes brain damage or stroke leads to
excess and many more brain cells die than fro
original trauma
ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) excessive
glutamate production.

Schizophrenia lack of glutamate production

(negative symptoms)
Many neurologists feel this is responsible for
many CNS diseases

Endorphins
(endogenous (produced
within) morphine)

Released in response to pain or

vigorous exercise

If brain is flooded with opiates like heroin and

morphine the brain may stop producing these
natural opiates

Pain control

Short for Endogenous

morphine built in morphine

Lack of no established disorder

Structurally similar to heroin and has

similar functions: pain reduction,
pleasure

This is the neurotransmitter responsible for

allowing bears and other animals to hibernate
Heroin slows heart rate, respiration, and
metabolism in general exactly what you nee
to hibernate if you were a bear. Heroin can
slow it to nothing death or Permanent
Hibernation

Opiods work by attaching at endorphin

receptor site AGONISTS

www.mononagrove.org/faculty/G_Jones/Neurotransmitters%20CHART.doc

NEUROTRANSMITTER: Dopamine (DA)

FUNCTIONS:
Abstract thinking, decision making
Pleasure & reward system
Integration of thoughts & emotions
Increase in sex drive, facilitation of orgasm
EFFECTS OF EXCESS:
Mild: Enhanced creativity & problem solving; ability to generalize situations: good
spatial ability; premature ejaculation
Severe: Disorganized thinking, loose associations; disabling compulsions; tics;
stereotypic behaviors
EFFECTS OF DEFICIT:
Mild: Poor impulse control; poor spatial ability; inability to think abstractly; no joy, no
anticipation of pleasure
Severe: Parkinson disease; endocrine changes; movement disorders
NEUROTRANSMITTER: Norepinephrine (NE)
Epinephrine (E)
FUNCTIONS:
Alertness, ability to focus attention, ability to be oriented.
Necessary for learning & memory
Primes nervous system for fight or flight
EFFECTS OF EXCESS:
Hyperalertness; anxiety, panic
Paranoia
Loss of appetite
Increased sensation-seeking behaviors
EFFECTS OF DEFICIT:
Dullness, low energy
Depression
NEUROTRANSMITTER: Serotonin (5-HT)
FUNCTIONS:
Inhibition of activity; calmness, contentedness
Regulation of temperature of sleep cycle
Pain perception
Precursor to melatonin, which plays a role in circadian rhythms
EFFECTS OF EXCESS:
Sedation; decreased anxiety
Increased sleep

Decreased sex drive; decreased orgasms

Indecision
Craving for sweets & carbohydrates
If greatly increased, may have hallucinations
EFFECTS OF DEFICIT
Irritability, hostility; increased aggression
Decreased impulse control; increased suicidal tendencies
Insomnia
Increased sex drive
NEUROTRANSMITTER: Acetylcholine (ACh)
FUNCTIONS:
Preparation for action; stimulation of parasympathetic system
Emotional regulation
Social play, exploration
Control of muscle tone by balance with DA
EFFECTS OF EXCESS:
Self-consciousness, excessive inhibition; anxiety
Somatic complaints
Depression
EFFECTS OF DEFICIT:
Lack of inhibition; euphoria
Poor short-term memory
Antisocial behaviors
Parkinson disease
NEUROTRANSMITTER: GABA
FUNCTIONS:
Calmness, contentedness
Reduction of aggression
EFFECTS OF EXCESS:
Sedation
Impaired recent memory
Anticonvulsant
EFFECTS OF DEFICIT:
Irritability
Lack of coordination
Seizures
http://www.cram.com/flashcards/table-63-neurotransmitters-functions-dysfunctions-2397514

https://media.lanecc.edu/users/kime/neurotransmittersummary.pdf
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/3020/3092719/toolbox/ch47/Tab47_01.pdf