Neurotransmitters carry many functions in the body and some of them are specifically designated for

certain roles like

neurotransmitters list

Acetylcholine

Acetyl choline: One of the major neurotransmitter in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. It also
found in RBC’s and other cells in the body.

It is synthesized in the neurons and released at nerve ending to pass on the nervous stimuli post
synaptically.

It is a part of parasympathetic system and released at synapse. It exerts actions opposite to that of
sympathetic system. Acetyl choline is involved in almost all the body functions like heart beat,
respiration, digestion, excretion, reproduction etc.

It acts through receptors like Muscarnic receptors like M1, M2 and also through nicotinic receptors in
the skeletal muscles like N1, N2. Deficiency and rise in the levels of acteylcholine leads to many diseases
and also toxic effects. Examples of diseases include parkinsonism, Alzheimer disease, glaucoma etc.

Dopamine: Another important neurotransimtter related sympathteic sysmte.

dopamine-2But it is mostly confined to brain and spinal cord and few nerves. It has functions of mood
and sympathetic system. It acts through receptors like D1, D2, D3. Disorders due to its deficiency or rise
include depression, parkinsonism.

Norepinpehrine: This also widely distributed like acteyl choline.

norepinephrine-1It covers all of the sympathetic functions and has actions opposite to acetyl choline. It
acts through receptors like α1, α2 and β1, β2.
Epinephrine: This is similar to nor-epinephrine in terms of actions and also chemistry. But it is present in
more quantities in blood and peripheral body organs and to a small extent in brain. In periphery it is
released by adrenal medulla. It is involved in stress regulation and is also called as flight or fight
hormone. It acts through similar receptors as that of epinephrine. Its quantity levels rise is in the body is
indicative of stress or struggle.

Serotonin: This is found in large quantities in intestine, platelets and also brain. It is recently found to be
important transmitters in stress, mood and also hemostasis (blood coagulation). serotoninIt acts
through 14 types of serotonin receptors like 5HT1, 5HT2, 5HT3, 5HT4, 5HT7 and their sub-types. Its
deficiency or change is seen in disorders like depression, schizophrenia etc.

Gluatamate: This is a neurotransmitter found predominantly in brain and also as amino-acid in rest of
the body. It acts through NMDA, AMPA receptors. It is involved in memory and learning. When the brain
undergoes oxygen deficient stress or physical injury its release in the extracellular space can be
devastating leading to nervous tissue damage (excito-toxicity). This phenomenon is mostly is seen in
asphyxia babies.

GABA (gamma amino benzoic acid): GABA is another neurotransmitter present predominantly in brain. It
acts to control nerve conduction and electric potential in the brain and also muscle tone. Its deficiency
leads to epilepsy. It acts through GABA receptors. This neurotransmitter plays a key role in epilepsy or
convulsion disorder.

Histamine: Unlike other, this substance is widely distributed in tissues. It is called as an afferent
neurotransmitter as it initiates the sense of itch and pain at sensory nerve endings in skin and other
regions.histamine

In the brain it controls functions like wakefulness, body temperature, thirst etc.

Besides these, there are also neurotransmitters like

Exitatory amino acids: l-Glutmate, l-Aspartate, l-Cystein, l-Homocycttein

Inhibitory amino acids: GABA, Glycine, b-alanine and taurine