NROB60H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase, Catecholaminergic, Axon Terminal
Document Summary
Three classes of neurotransmitters: amino acids, amines, and peptides. A substance is a neurotransmitter if: synthesis and storage occurs in presynaptic neurons, released by presynaptic axon terminal, produces response if postsynaptic cell. Mimics response produced by release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neuron. Receptor agonist: binds to receptors, and mimic the actions of the naturally occurring neurotransmitter. Receptor antagonist: binds to receptors, and blocks the normal action of the neurotransmitter. Research indicates the major neurotransmitter molecules are: amino acids, amines, and peptides. Evolution of neurotransmitters is conservative and opportunistic often using common and familiar things to new uses. Dale"s principle: one neuron, one neurotransmitter. Peptide containing neurons often violate this principle. Co-transmitters: most neurons release one neurotransmitter but are exceptions, two or more transmitters released from one nerve terminal, an amino acid or amine plus a peptide, some that release gaba and glycine.
