Neurotransmitters Research Paper

Most people usually think of the brain or heart being the most important part of our body. While they are indeed important, they would be entirely useless if certain substances called neurotransmitters didn’t exist. Neurotransmitters are substances in our body that carry signals from one nerve cell to another. Without these neurotransmitters in our body, we wouldn’t receive crucial signals such as telling our heart to beat. Six of the most common neurotransmitters in our body are dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

In the field of genetics, the study of the effect of various genes is imperative in translation and interpretation. As genetic coding influences phenotypic expression, the analysis of specific genes and any polymorphisms are relevant in a clinical setting. One such example is that of personality traits, which are believed to be influenced by specific neurotransmitters, known as catecholamines. Catecholamines are chemicals released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, and operate dually as hormones and neurotransmitters within the body. Commonly, catecholamines mediate functions within the central nervous system, including those of emotional responses and motor control. Inclusive of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, the

The third neurotransmitter is thoroughly spread throughout the brain which is called Endorphins. This neurotransmitter is a part of the behavioral and mental processes, includes euphoria, influence of stress, moderates food and liquid intake, facilitating learning and memory, and leviating pain. These

A) With the help of nerve tissues and nerve cells that translate the outside stimulus of the world around us, that collected information is processed into a chemical message, known the be the neurotransmitters. One role that neurotransmitters play within the nervous system is inhibitors and exciters of cells that aren’t neuron cells, which consequentially cause cells to either react to stimuli or inhibit it to not produce a reaction. Once the information of the stimuli is registered and at times further processed by the central nervous system (CNS), the brain and the spinal cord are the two structures known the be the main components of this system, an action is generated in response. This process happens incredibly quickly within the body, and the reason for this is to protect ourselves from outside forces and to adapt quickly to a changing environment. Without neurotransmitters the body’s large communication network of nerve tissue would not be able to register and generate responses to stimuli that can occur all over the body, this information has to travel in order to be registered and dealt with correctly and in doing so neurotransmitters keep the journey a steady process.

The basic pathophysiology of major depressive disorder has not been clearly explained. Current evidence suggests a complex interaction between the availability of the neurotransmitter, receptor regulation, and sensitivity underlying the affective symptoms.

All endorphins use chemical reactions to accomplish their task. Beta-endorphins bind mu-opioid receptors, “which are most abundant in descending pain control circuits”, and exert their primary action at presynaptic nerve terminals [in the peripheral nervous system] (Hawaii Med Journal). In the central nervous system, “they exert their analgesic effect by inhibiting the release of an inhibitory neurotransmitter” (Hawaii Med Journal). This process is called presynaptic binding. During this process, a cascade of reactions occurs, releasing tachykinins, a protein involved with transference of pain. Endorphins are most active when we are most active; the nervous system sending transmissions through chemical reactions of

When it comes down to what causes depression, it isn’t completely known but there are many factors that may make someone more prone or subjected to clinical depression. One important factor that may increase someone’s chances of developing this disorder is inherited conditions. Another factor may be an environmental factor. Alcohol or drug abuse are factors also and can create emotional imbalance which can place someone at risk to developing the two forms of clinical depression. Another factor that can put someone at risk is brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. Recent research indicates that changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits involved in maintaining mood stability may play a significant role in depression and its treatment (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016).

Neurotransmitters are chemicals from the brain that send messages to the rest of the body to initiate an action or response. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter secreted from three areas in the body: 1) dopanergic neurons in the VTA of the midbrain, 2) substantia nigra pars compacta, and 3) arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. It is different from most neurotransmitters in that it is both inhibitory and excitatory. It also has five different receptors that it can bind to, making up only a small part of what determines its effect. Dopamine has been proven to have direct correlations to motivation and reward, issues in the central nervous system, and with psychological disorders and disease. Elevated or depleted dopamine levels are largely responsible for a number of illnesses and disorders, for example: Parkinson’s disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and addiction.

When the body is subjected to stress or pain, the pituitary releases it into the bloodstream. The beta endorphins bind to special receptors in located in the brain, spinal cord, immune system, and adrenal glands. These receptors are known as opioid receptors and can be categorized as binding to several different types of endorphin and opium derivative while being blocked by the chemical naloxone. When bound to these receptors, they produce an inhibitory effect on the neural pathways for pain, reducing the effect and perception of pain. When there is a high enough quantity in the body, this can also cause a sensation colloquially known as “runner’s high”. This is a euphoric state usually caused by extreme exercise. I believe the natural glow and warm feeling that a woman has after childbirth can also be contributed partially from the effect of beta endorphins on the body, as childbirth is one of the most extreme things that can happy to a body. This hormone is also found in the body when we laugh, during sex, eat spicy foods, listen to emotionally complex music, and in small amounts in the bloodstream doing regulatory jobs. Independent of the pain reduction effects, Beta endorphins have an interesting effect on other parts of our body

These neurons can only be received onto certain sites, known as a receptor. Neurotransmitters can fit a number of different receptors, but receptor sites can only receive specific types of neurotransmitters (Biological Causes of Depression). At the receptor site of a neuron, the chemical message of the neurotransmitter may either change into electrical impulses and continue on its way through the next neuron, or may stay where it is (Biological Causes of Depression). Within this process, enzymes can help break down other neurotransmitters into smaller ones. If this systems fails to cooperate with each other, then the production of neurotransmitters, that are there to maintain a balance, can affect the mood of the person. Thus, resulting in behavioral differences from the common characteristics of the

Endorphins and their peptides are made by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland. Endorphins got their name from the word endogenous, which translate to the words ‘from body,’ and ‘morphine.’ Basically, endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers (they also boost pleasure which results in a feeling of well-being, or feeling good). Endorphins are released when we do activities such as eating and exercising. They are also released when they receive signals from the brain when we are in pain and stressed. Endorphins are able to stop pain, or at least make it bearable, because they act on the opiate receptors in our brains.

Molecules, called neurotransmitters are inside our brain. The reason these are called neurotransmitters is because they transmit information. Passageways in the brain are transported by neurotransmitters that direct communicative traffic. These passageways are called the neurotransmitter transmission. Neurotransmitters begin in the presynaptic area. When they enter the passage, they are heading towards the synapse. Neurotransmitters meet up with the postsynaptic neuron membrane in the synapse. Neurons are responsible for our responses and emotions. The amount of neurotransmitters that can get through the passage way to the synapse is the factor deciding how well the nervous system works.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain where signals jump from one neuron to another. One class of neurotransmitters are amino acids which are neurotransmitters used for creating proteins in the brain. Glutamate is one of the 20 amino acids in the human body and one of the most common known neurotransmitters. Glutamate is one of the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and in the spinal cord. Glutamate triggers and excites nearly half of the brain’s neurons. Too much glutamate stimulation can lead to damage of the neurons due to the neurons being over excited. an example of this is Lou Gehrig’s disease, which occurs because too much glutamate is created and stored in the body. The functioning of glutamate works once it is attached to

Potenza 2001 stated that Neurotransmitters are chemicals, which moves in the gaps between nerve cells to transmit messages. If the chemical is blocked or replaced, for example, then the message changes and this affects the physiological systems, also effecting, cognition, mood and behaviour. Dopamine is regarded as the most commonly associated neurotransmitter having these effects, although other chemicals have been shown to induce similar effects. Therefore resulting in a good feeling after in taking the substance.

Neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are also known for their roles in many neurological disorders. Dopamine plays a large role in arousal,