Roughly 95 percent of excess catecholamines in the synaptic cleft are removed from the cleft via
a process known as reuptake, whereas the remaining are broken down in the cleft by degradation.
The illicit drug cocaine causes several neurotransmitters to be released, but dopamine is the
primary neurotransmitter released when one ingests cocaine.
What are the four monoamines?
What are the 3 main types of catecholamines?
Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter released from presynaptic neurons into the "synaptic
cleft when the fight-or-flight response is triggered by the autonomic nervous system.
Adderall is a dopamine agonist.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine are two drugs that both cause catecholamines to be
released in the absence of an action potential.
Three primary dopamine pathways exist in the brain. The origin of dopaminergic (i.e., dopamine
producing) neurons for all three pathways is the region of the midbrain known as the ventral
tegmental area (VTA).
The mesolimbic pathway originates in the midbrain and projects to the limbic system structures,
including the nucleus accumbens, septum, amygdala, and hippocampus.
, The norandrenergic system is responsible for providing the cerebral cortex with general arousal
(i.e., general cortical tone), as well as for providing the neurotransmitter basis for the autonomic
nervous system.
Serotonergic neurons originate from the region of the brain known as the raphe nuclei and project
to all cortical areas.
What are some examples of serotonin agonists?
Significantly elevated serotonin in the brain can result in visual hallucinations.
Increasing brain levels of acetylcholine (ACh) is useful in decreasing the severity of cognitive
symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)is an enzyme that breaks down ACh.
Acetylcholine is formed from two precursors: choline and acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA)
Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement, learning, and establishing new
memories.
Excess levels of acetylcholine result in muscle paralysis, eventual paralysis of the diaphragm, and
eventually death due to respiratory arrest.
The primary neurotransmitter in the brain is glutamate, and the primary
neurotransmitter in the brain is GABA.