Amino Acids
- GABA
- Glycine
- Taurine
- Glutamate
- Aspartate
- Homocystine.
Biogenic Amines
- Acetylcholine
- Monoamines.
Neuropeptides
- Substance P
- Vasopressin
- Enkephalin, Endorphin
- Neurotensin
- Oxytocin.
Others
Monoamines can be further subdivided into:
(i) Serotonin, (ii) Catecholamines, (iii) Histamine, (iv) Agmatine, (v) Phenylethylamine.
Catecholamines are again further subdivided into:
(a) Epinephrine, (b) Norepinephrine, (c) Dopamine.
Causes of Neurotransmitter Imbalance
- High levels of emotional trauma or stress
- Dietary habit
- Neurotoxins
- Genetics.
Expression of Neurotransmitter Imbalance
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mania
- Aggression
- Addiction
- Compulsive disorders – Drugs/Gambling/Overeating
- Insomnia
- Epilepsy
- Parkinsonism
- Alzheimer's disease
- ADHD
- Panic disorders.3
Assessment of Neurotransmitter Level in the Body
- Plasma, serum, blood
- CSF
- Urine
Urinary tests of neurotransmitters are following:
GABA | Dopamine |
Glycine | Serotonin |
Glutamate | Epinephrine |
Aspartate | Norepinephrine |
Taurine | Histamine |
Agmatine | Phenylethylamine |
- Neurotransmitter: Chemical agent fulfilling following criteria:
- synthesized within the neuron.
- present in the pre-synaptic neuron and released due to neuronal depolarization.
- exogenous administration of the molecule will mimic the effects of the endogenous neurotransmitter.
- acts on post-synaptic neuronal receptor and initiate excitatory or inhibitory response.
- termination of activity due to deactivation either in the neuron or in the synaptic cleft.
- Neuromodulator arises from non-synaptic sites yet modulates the response of a neuron towards a neurotransmitter, e.g. adenosine, purines, eicosanoids, NO.
- Neurohormone is released into the bloodstream from where it can diffuse into the extraneuronal space and exert its actions on the neuron, e.g. ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, Prolactin.