Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are used to relay, amplify and modulate electrical signals between a neuron and another cell. According to the dogma of the 1960's, a chemical can be classified as a neurotransmitter if it respects the following conditions:

Related Topics:
Chemicals - Electrical - Neuron

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• It is synthesized endogenously; that is, within the presynaptic neuron
• It is available in sufficient quantity in the presynaptic neuron to exert an effect on the postsynaptic neuron
• Externally administered, it must mimic the endogenously released substance
• A biochemical mechanism for inactivation must be present

However, there are other materials such as the zinc ion, which are neither synthesized nor cataboloized and are considered neurotransmitters by some. Thus, the old definitions are being revised.

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Neurotransmitter: Types of neurotransmitters ►