Neurotransmitters

• Key Terms

  • Neurotransmitters:
  • Chemical messengers
  • Released by pre-synaptic terminal
  • Synapses:
  • Small junctions between neurons for neurotransmitter release, inhibitory or excitatory
  • One neuron can have 1000 connections with adjacents
  • Upregulation:
  • Increase sensitivity to neurotransmitters which oppose dopamine, e.g. GABA
  • Downregulation:
  • Decreases dopamine sensitivity
  • Less receptor sites
  • Excitatory neurotransmitters facilitate electrical charge/impulse transmission
  • Inhibitory neurotransmitters prevent it (stop firing)
• Examples


  • GABA:
  • Inhibitory
  • Released in alcohol consumption
  • Cause memory loss, balance issues
  • Dopamine:
  • Excitatory
  • Link to high creativity and sociability
  • Neurohormone (effect large brain sections as well as individual synapses)
  • In hormone regulation
  • Endorphins:
  • Natural opiates
  • Control pain by inhibition
  • Prevent transmission of neural pain messages
  • Stimulating dopamine system