Key Neurotransmitters to Know for Intro to Brain and Behavior

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that play a vital role in brain function, influencing everything from mood to memory. Understanding these substances helps us grasp how drugs affect our brain and behavior, impacting mental health and overall well-being.

1. Glutamate

   • The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning.
   • Involved in cognitive functions such as memory and information processing.
   • Excessive glutamate activity can lead to neurotoxicity and is linked to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

2. GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

   • The main inhibitory neurotransmitter, counteracting the effects of glutamate and reducing neuronal excitability.
   • Plays a key role in regulating anxiety, sleep, and muscle relaxation.
   • Dysregulation of GABA can contribute to anxiety disorders and epilepsy.

3. Dopamine

   • Involved in reward, motivation, and pleasure, influencing mood and behavior.
   • Key player in the brain's reward system, affecting addiction and reinforcement learning.
   • Imbalances are associated with disorders such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

4. Serotonin

   • Regulates mood, emotion, and social behavior, often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter.
   • Plays a role in sleep, appetite, and digestion, impacting overall well-being.
   • Low levels are linked to depression and anxiety disorders.

5. Norepinephrine

   • Functions as both a neurotransmitter and hormone, involved in the body's "fight or flight" response.
   • Affects attention, arousal, and stress response, enhancing alertness and focus.
   • Imbalances can contribute to mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.

6. Acetylcholine

   • Essential for muscle activation and plays a role in attention, learning, and memory.
   • Involved in the autonomic nervous system, regulating functions like heart rate and digestion.
   • Deficits are associated with Alzheimer's disease and myasthenia gravis.

7. Histamine

   • Involved in immune responses, regulation of sleep-wake cycles, and appetite control.
   • Plays a role in neurotransmission and can influence mood and cognitive functions.
   • Dysregulation is linked to allergies, sleep disorders, and certain psychiatric conditions.

8. Glycine

   • Functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord and brainstem, contributing to motor control.
   • Plays a role in the regulation of excitatory neurotransmission, particularly in the brain.
   • Involved in the modulation of pain and can influence sleep patterns.

9. Endorphins

   • Natural pain relievers produced by the body, often released in response to stress or pain.
   • Contribute to feelings of euphoria and well-being, often referred to as the body's "natural opioids."
   • Play a role in regulating mood and can influence the experience of pain.

10. Substance P

    • A neuropeptide involved in the transmission of pain signals and inflammatory responses.
    • Plays a role in mood regulation and stress responses, linking physical and emotional pain.
    • Elevated levels are associated with chronic pain conditions and mood disorders.