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:

Types of neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters can be broadly classified into small-molecule transmitters and neuroactive peptides. Around 10 small-molecule neurotransmitters are generally admitted: acetylcholine, 5 amines, and 3 or 4 amino acids (depending on exact definition used), Purines (Adenosine, ATP, GTP and their derivatives) are neurotransmitters. Fatty acids are also receiving attention as the potential endogenous cannabinoid (Anandamide etc.). Over 50 neuroactive peptides have been found, among them hormones such as LH or insulin that have specific local actions in addition to their long-range signalling properties. Single ions, such as synaptically-released zinc are also considered neurotransmitters by some.

Related Topics:
Peptides - Acetylcholine - Amines - Amino acids - Purines - ATP - GTP - Anandamide

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It is important to appreciate that it is the receptor that dictates the neurotransmitter's effect.

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