Question

List names of neurotransmitters, their main functions and implications in human disease.

Answer 1

Neurotransmitters are those substances that are used totransmit impulses from one neuron to other in the synapse.They also transmit signals to the target tissues

The major neurotransmitters of the body are

Acetylcholine

• It is an excitatory neurotransmitter of the body
• It is secreted by
  • motor neurons that innervate muscle cells, basal ganglia
  • preganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system
  • postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
• It is important in the regulation of the muscular actions and also the sleep.
• Acetycholine is involved in the Alzheimers disease
• The blockage of the aacetylcholine causes the paralysis of the muscles and the body

Norepinephrine

• it is an excitatory neurotransmitter
• It is released from the brainstem,hypothalamus and the adrenal gland.
• This neurotransmitter increases the alertness of the body
• Abnormal concentrations can cause mood disorders and anxiety.

Epinephrine

• epinephrine is an excitatory neurotransmitter
• It is released from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla

Dopamine

• Dopamine is released from the substantia nigra cells
• They are both excitatory and inhibitory.
• Inhibits unnecessary movements of the body, release of prolactin, and it stimulates the secretion of growth hormone in the body
• Schizophrenic patients has a higher level of dopamine
• Parkinsonism is a condition that is associated with the low levels of dopamine.It is related to the destruction of the substantia nigra.

GABA

• It is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter
• It is released by the neurons of
  • spinal cord,
  • cerebellum,
  • basal ganglia,
  • Areas of the cerebral cortex
• This neurotransmitter reduces the excitability of the neurons
• The lack of GABA in the regions of the brain can cause epilepsy