5 Things You Need to Know About Neurotransmitters

1. Neurotransmitters: the Body's Signal Conductors

In order for your body to transmit signals about movements, reflexes, activities and other important actions, it needs a signal system. The nervous system does this unique function so that the body works and functions in the best manner it can to maintain maximum health and function. Helping the signals to get from the neurons, which comprise the nervous system to the next set of neurons, is a chemical substance called a neurotransmitter.

2. The First Neurotransmitter

Otto Loewi, a German biologist who actually won a Nobel Prize for this work, discovered acetylcholine in 1921. The neurotransmitter helps with muscular stimulation in those areas such as the gastrointestinal system and autonomic nervous system. Of particular note with this neurotransmitter is that in those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease, there is close to 90-percent loss of acetylcholine of their brains. This is a very important neurotransmitter for the research community.

3. Sound the Alert!

Norepinephrine came into the neurological research scene in 1946 when Ulf von Euler identified its presence. This neurotransmitter is sometimes called the "high alert" transmitter, since it is the one released by the adrenal glands to help bring our nervous system into play rapidly when triggered by things such as stress. It also has a very strong link to the actual activity of memory forming.

4. Dopamine

Dopamine, another important neurotransmitter, was identified in the 1950s by Arvid Carlsson. This type of transmitter is one that actually plays like a hockey goalie--it blocks! It actually goes in search of its own defined "receptive" site and blocks the neuron in that site from working! Dopamine has a strong link to the reward mechanisms within the brain, so that things like heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs increase the actual level of dopamine and increase "good" feelings.

5. Other Important Neurotransmitters

Serotonin, another "blocking" type transmitter is linked to mood and emotion--too little and depression is seen, too much and anger or obsessive-compulsive behavior is observed. A recently found drug used to help eliminate any excess serotonin is Prozac. Endorphin, another transmitter is one that is very similar to opioids; it inhibits pain and may enhance pleasure. Endorphin is also the chemical transmitter that allows hibernation to take place in bears and other animals. It slows the heart and the respiratory rate to allow the body to sleep. There are many other transmitters and they all have a similar purpose--to help signal the body's nervous system to better function and adapt.