Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitter Description Synthesis + Release Reuptake Metabolism/ Receptors

Degradation
Amino acids
 γ-amino butyric  glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)  GABA transporter  GABA transaminase  GABAA Receptor
acid  glutamate to GABA (GAT)  Semialdehyde o Ligand gated Cl- channel
 major inhibitory  uses pyridoxal phosphate as cofactor dehydrogenase o Pentamer
neurotransmitter in  Vesicular inhibitory amino acid (convert to succinate) o 2 molecules of GABA bind to alpha subunits
CNS transporter (VIAAT) o Metabolite γ- o Gamma subunit for BDZ
GABA hydroxybutyrate  GABAB Receptor
(red because it is Pharmacotherapy: (GHB) o GPCR: Gi
INHIBITORY… see  Anxiety o Heterodimer of R1 and R2 subunits
what I did here?)  Insomnia  GABAC Receptor (found in retina)
 Epilepsy o Pentamer of ρ subunits
o Ligand gated Cl- channel

 Major inhibitory  Serine transhydroxymethylase  Glycine transporter  Also co-agonist at glutamate receptors
neurotransmitter in  Changes serine into glycine  Strychnine is glycine antagonist
Glycine the spinal cord  Transported by VIAAT  Ligand gated Cl- channel
Pharmacotherapy:  Pentamer (α and β subunits)
  Glycine binds to α subunit

 Major excitatory  Glutaminase converts glutamine to  EAAT/ GAAT:  Ionotropic receptors

neurotransmitter glutamate excitatory amino acid  Tetramers of 2 different subunits
 Excitotoxicity  glutamine↔glutamate cycle occurs transporter  NMDA (n-methyl-D-aspartate)  ligand and voltage dependent  long term
death of neurons between neurons and glial cells potentiation
following  Sodium, potassium, calcium
prolonged  Co-agonist: glycine
excitatory synaptic  Magnesium binding site depolarization to allow flux of cations
Glutamate transmission  Non-MNDA
(green because it is  AMPA
EXICTATORY!)  Kainite (kainic acid)
Pharmacotherapy: Metabotropic receptors (mGluRs)
 Alzheimer’s disease  Group I mGluR1/5  activation of PLC
 Also targeted for  Group II mGluR2/3  inhibition of AC
anesthesia  Group III mGluR4/6/7/8  inhibition of AC
Acetylcholine (ACh)
 Main function in  Using Choline acetyltransferase,   Nicotinic Receptors
CNS: attention/ acetyl CoA and choline are changed  Ionotropic sodium
memory / learning to ACh and CoA  Pentamer:
Pharmacotherapy: Released from: ANS
 Alzheimer’s disease  CNS basal forebrain / brainstem a. Nicotinic receptors of ganglion
ACh  Myasthenia gravis  PNS neuromuscular junction / Muscarinic Receptors
 Skeletal muscle preganglionic fibers of ANS /  GPCRs / metabotropic
relaxants parasympathetic postganglionic  Subtypes:
 Parkinson’s disease fibers of ANS  M 1/3/5  Gq  excitatory
 M 2/4  Gi  inhibitory
Biogenic Amines
 Dopamine Catecholamine synthesis:  Active dopamine  Degradation happens
 Norepinephrine  Tyrosine Dopa Dopamine (via. transporter (DAT) in the mitochondria
 Epinephrine Dopa decarboxylase)   Monoamine oxidase
Catecholamines Norepinephrine (via. Dopamine (MAO) A and B
(DA / NE / E) beta-hydroxylase)  Epinephrine  Catechol-o-methyl
(via blah blah transferase) transferase COMT
 cytoplasm
 Neurotransmitter Description Release Reuptake Metabolism/ Receptors
Degradation
Pharmacotherapy: Diencephalon   D1 Family
 Psychotic diseases  Hypothalamus (arcuate and  D1 and D5 excitatory stimulation of adenylyl cyclase (AC)
 Parkinson’s disease periventricular nuclei)  D1 dilates renal blood vessels
 Attention Deficit  Tuberoinfundibular pathway D2 Family
Hyperactivity inhibit prolactin release  D2 /3/ 4
Dopamine Disorder Brainstem  Inhibition of AC
 Substantia nigra pars compacta
nigrostriatal pathway (motor)
 Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
mesolimbic pathway (reward) and
mesocortical pathway (cognition,
social behavior)
Main functions CNS    Adreneric receptors
Norepinephrine  Arousal  Brainstem locus coerulus and  GPCR
 Attention pons and medulla nuclei
Pharmacotherapy:  Mood PNS
 Depression  Sympathetic BP,  Sympathetic postganglionic fibers of
 ADHD heart rate ANS
 Narcolepsy  Vigilance
 Hypertension
 CNS
 Brainstem dorsal tegmentum /
Epinephrine lateral reticular nucleus
PNS
 Adrenal medulla / sympathetic
postganglionic fibers of ANS
Main functions Biosynthesis of serotonin  5-HT transporter  MAO-A  Serotonin Receptors: 5-HT1 – 5-HT7
 Sleep  Tryptophan 5-hydroxytryptophan  SERT (serotonin  Major metabolite 5-  5-HT1 (5 subtypes)
 Wakefulness (5-HTP) via tryptophan transporter) hydroxyindole acetic  Inhibit AC
 Mood hydroxylase 5-HT or serotonin  Presynaptic axon acid (5-HIAA)  Autoreceptors in raphe nuclei / postsynaptic receptors in other brain
 Eating (via 5-HTP decarboxylase) terminals regions
 Released from: brainstem (raphe  Platelets  5-HT2 (3 subtypes)
Pharmacotherapy: nuclei)  GPCR
 Depression  Activation of phospholipase C (PLC) / slow depolarization
 Schizophrenia  5-HT3
Serotonin  OCD  Ligand gated ion channel
 Premenstrual  Fast depolarization
dysphoric disorder  Area postrema of brainstem (vomiting)
 Eating disorder  5-HT4
 Nausea/ vomiting  Activation of AC / stimulates GI motility
 5-HT5 (2 subtypes)
 Inhibit AC
 5-HT6
 Activation of AC
 5-HT7
 Activation of AC

Main functions in CNS  Released from : hypothalamus   Degradation:  H1

 Arousal histamine  Activation of PLC / excitatory
 Attention methyltransferase  Neurons, glia, blood vessels, smooth muscle
 Allergic reactionsd then MAO-B  H2
Histamine Pharmacotherapy:  Stimulation of AC / excitatory
 Motion sickness  Neurons, GI tract
 Allergic reactions  H3
 GI disorders (peptic  Inhibitory auto-receptor
ulcer)  Basal ganglia and olfactory regions in rates
  H4
 Gi and Gq  eosinophils, T cells, mast cells, basophils, dendrites

NOTE! Peptide and nitric oxide are NOT listed on here since they are non-
conventional neurotransmitters. I will NOT be held responsible!!!!