NEUROTRANSMITTER

Defenition
The chemical messenger that is released from the axon terminal of a neuron, in response to an action potential, & influences another neuron or an effector with which the neuron is anatomically linked.

Criteria for identification a neurotransmitter 1. Must be synthesized in neuron from which released 2. Must be stored in neuron from which it is released 3. Must be released from terminal of these neurons 4. When applied exogenously, must mimic action of natural neurotransmitter

Classification by chemical structure

1. Acetylcholine (ACh) 2. Biogenic Amines
1. Catecholamines : Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine 2. Indolamines : Serotonin, Histamine

3. Amino Acids : glycine, glutamate, GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) 4. Neuropeptides : enkephalin, endorphins, substance P 5. Other : Purines (Adenosin,AMP,ATP) ; gases (NO, CO).

Classification by function
A. Based on effects
excitatory cause depolarization inhibitory cause hyperpolarization either ; depends on postsynaptic membrane receptors

B. Based on mechanism of action

direct (channel-linked receptors) indirect (G protein-linked receptors = second messenger system)

Direct action Receptor located at the ion channel itself.

channel activation, ion influx and membrane potential changes

*open Cl- or K+ channels leading to hyperpolarization *open Na+/K+, Ca2+ channels leading to depolarization

aaction depends on binding of Nts to receptors followed by

iimmediate and localized action

oopen ion channels

slower, longer-lasting effects binding of Nts with receptor activates G protein in membrane works through cyclic AMP (cAMP) to: regulate ion channels (open or close) activate kinase enzymes within cytoplasm (activate proteins in cytoplasm)

Neurotransmitter release & termination

1. Action potential arrived at the axon terminal (potential changes) open Ca++ channel Ca++ influx 2. Ca++ induces the release of Nts from synaptic vesicles into synaptic cleft

Neurotransmitter release & termination

3. Nts binds with receptors sites on subsynaptic membrane 4. This binding trigger the opening of specific ion channel 5. Nts released from the receptor

Neurotransmitter release & termination

removal from cleft by reuptake into astrocytes or presynaptic membrane - e.g., norepinephrine) degradation of NT by enzymes present in postsynaptic membrane or synaptic cleft - e.g., acetylcholine [ACh] degraded by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase [AChE] - Norepinephrine by MAO & COMT diffusion away from cleft

Distribution & Function

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Catecholamines

How Drugs Work

Drugs operate by altering neurotransmission
Agonists enhance effects by...
Mimicking a transmitter or Increasing transmitter production or Blocking its re-uptake

Antagonists decrease effects by...

Blocking receptor site or Increasing re-uptake

Differences between Neurotransmitter and Neuromodulator