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Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the Central Nervous System [CNS] used to regulate electrical signals between neurons or between a neuron and another cell. These may relay, amplify or modulate a signal. Neurotransmitters are synthesized in the presynaptic region of the neuron and travel through the axon to the synapse, where they are usually encased in synaptic vesicles. These are released upon receipt of an action potential signal to diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors in the postsynaptic region of a neighboring neuron.

The three major categories of neurotransmitter chemicals are amino acids (primarily glutamic acid, GABA, aspartic acid and glycine, peptides (vasopressin, somatostatin, neurotensin, etc.) monoamines (norepinephrine, dopamine and sertonin), and acetylcholine. Each of these neurotransmitters has a different effect on neuronal signaling.

Web Resources On Neurotransmitter

Brain Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter in Wikipedia

Book Resources On Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitter Transporters by John N. Abelson, Melvin I. Simon, Susan G. Amara (Eds.).
The War of the Soups and the Sparks: The Discovery of Neurotransmitters and the Dispute over How Nerves Communicate by Elliot S. Valenstein

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