neurotransmitters Flashcards
Acetycholine
excitatory small molecule
location: basal forebrain & upper brainstem
projections: widespread CNS regions
receptors: cholinergic
CNS function: attention, alterness, motivation, memory, movement
Glutamate
excitatory small molecule
location: entire CNS
projections: entire CNS
receptors: AMPA, NMDA, mGluR
CNS function: increase action potentials
Substance P
excitatory neuropeptide
location: PNS and CNS sensory neurons
projections: PNS, spinal cord, limbic system, thalamus, cerebral cortex
receptors: numerous
CNS function: pain transmission
GABA
inhibitory small molecule
location: cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem
projections: cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem
receptors: GABAA, GABAB
CNS function: decrease action potential
Glycine
inhibitory small molecule
location: spinal cord
projections: spinal cord
receptors: glycinergic
CNS function: decrease action potentials
Opioids (endorphins and enkephalin)
inhibitory opioid peptide
location: pituitary gland and spinal cord
projections: substantia gelatinosa of spinal cord
receptors: u (opioid)
CNS function: endogenous analgesic (pain relief)
Endocannabinoids (anadamide and 2-AG)
inhibitory retrograde
location: entire CNS
projections: entire CNS
receptors: CB1 and CB2
CNS function: inhibit presynaptic NT release
Dopamine
modulatory
location: substantia nigra & ventral tegmental area in brainstem
projections: basal ganglia, limbic system, prefrontal cortex
receptors: D1 and D2
CNS function: motor control, reward, reinforcement, attention
Norepinephrine/ Noradrenaline
modulatory
location: Locus coeruleus in brainstem
projections: entire CNS
receptors: adrenergic
CNS function: mood, alertness
Serotonin
modulatory small molecule
location: Raphe nuclei in brainstem
projections: entire CNS
receptors: Serotonergic
CNS function: mood, sleep, pain
