Neurotransmitter

Harliansyah, Ph.D
Fakultas Kedokteran
Dec2016
 Typical Mammalian Neuron Structure
Neurons are specialized to produce and utilize
different neurotransmitters-chemicals that act in a
paracrine fashion
Neurons and Central nervous
System
The nervous system regulates all aspects of
bodily function
The human brain-control center that stores,
computates and transmits information
The human brain contains~ 1012 neurons (nerve
cells)-each forming as many as thousands
connections with other neurons
Millions of neurons regulates contraction of
muscle and secretion of hormones
Function of neurons-to communicate information
by two methods:
Continued
A) Electrical signals: process and conduct
information within a cell
B) Chemical signals: transmit information
between cells
Type of neurons:
A) Motor neurons-carry information and innervate
muscle cell via axon terminals
B) Sensory neurons-have specialized receptors
that convert stimuli into electrical impulse
which passes down to the cell body, and then to
spinal cord or brain
Transmission Mechanism
Cellular Receptors
 Neurotransmitters
Properties of neurotransmitters:
1) synthesized in the presynaptic neuron

2) Localized to vesicles in the presynaptic neuron

3) Released from the presynaptic neuron under

physiological conditions

4) Rabidly removed from the synaptic cleft by uptake or

degradation

5) Presence of receptor on the post-synaptic neuron.

6) Binding to the receptor elicits a biological response

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 Transmitter Derived From Site of Synthesis
Molecule
Acetylcholine Choline CNS,
Parasympathetic
nerves
Serotonin Tryptophan CNS
5-
hydroxytryptamine
GABA (gamma- Glutamate CNS
Neurotransmitters amino butyric acid)
Glutamate CNS

Aspartate CNS

Glycine Spinal cord

Histamine Histidine Hypothalamus

Epinephrine Tyrosine Adrenal medulla,
(adrenalin) some CNS cells
Norepinephrine Tyrosine CNS, sympathetic
(noradrenalin) nerves
Dopamine Tyrosine CNS
Adenosine ATP CNS, Peripheral
nerves
Catecholalamine Biogenic Amine
Neuropeptida
Selected Classical
Neurotransmitters
System Transmitter
Cholinergic acetylcholine
Aminoacidergic GABA, aspartic acid, glutamic
acid, glycine, homocysteine
Monoaminergic
Catecholamines dopamine, norepinephrine,
epinephrine
Indolamines tryptamine, serotonin
Others, related to histamine, taurine
aa
Purinergic adenosine, ADP, AMP, ATP
nitric oxide
Model Chemical Synapse
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Synapses
Are specialized sites where neurons communicate
with other cells
They transmit signals in only one direction (from axon
terminal to postsynaptic cell)
Two types:
1) Electrical synapses-rare and fast
2) Chemical synapses-common, slow and release
neurotransmitters
The neuromuscular junctions-are junction between the
axon terminal of a neuron and the receiving cell
(muscle cells) and usually called synapse
 Membrane Potential
Action potential: neurons and muscle cells generate
electrical signals that are conducted rapidly over long
distances
Resting membrane potential: action potential
produced when there is no active ionic conduction-an
equilibrium state exists
Membrane depolarization: a reduction in membrane
potential due to flow of cations into cells
Membrane hyperpolarization: an increase in
membrane potetial due to influx of anions from
outside the cells
Exictatory synapse: represents membrane
depolarization
Inhibitory synapse: represents membrane
 Neurotransmitters found in the nervous
system
EXCITATORY
Acetylcholine
Aspartate
Dopamine
Histamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Glutamate
Serotonin

INHIBITORY
GABA
Glycine
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References
Thank you