neurotransmitter
Brain's chemical courier
A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries signals between nerve cells.
These molecules cross the tiny gaps (synapses) between neurons, triggering or inhibiting electrical impulses in the receiving cell.
Dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline are familiar examples—each associated with different mental states and bodily functions: Antidepressants work by altering neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
Reward-linked neural messenger
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- glutamateExcitatory neural transmitter
- GABAInhibitory brain neurotransmitter
endorphins · histamine · epinephrine · glycine · aspartate · oxytocin · vasopressin · melatonin
Neuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- terminalAt the endpoint
- somaBodily cells, excluding gametes
- membraneThin tissue sheet
depolarization · repolarization · threshold · firing · synapse · excitatory · inhibitory · voltage-gated
Small fluid-filled sac
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- presynapticBefore the neural junction
- exocytosisVesicular release from cells
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
binding site · release · diffusion · degradation · transporter · docking · fusion · clearance
Prolonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
reward · stress · emotion · well-being · mood disorder · bipolar · anhedonia · craving
Receptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- SSRIAntidepressant medication class abbreviation
- SNRIPsychiatric medication class
- precursorSomething that comes first
modulator · blocker · enhancer · psychopharmacology · dose-response · desensitization · downregulation · upregulation
dopamine
Reward-linked neural messenger
- acetylcholineNeurotransmitter for muscles and memory
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- glutamateExcitatory neural transmitter
GABA · endorphins · histamine · epinephrine · glycine · aspartate · oxytocin · vasopressin · melatonin · neuropeptide
axon
Neuron's signal-sending projection
membrane · depolarization · repolarization · threshold · firing · synapse · excitatory · inhibitory · voltage-gated · cascade
vesicle
Small fluid-filled sac
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- presynapticBefore the neural junction
- exocytosisVesicular release from cells
action potential · binding site · release · diffusion · degradation · transporter · docking · fusion · clearance · spillover
depression
Prolonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
pleasure · reward · stress · emotion · well-being · mood disorder · bipolar · anhedonia · craving · addiction
agonist
Receptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- SSRIAntidepressant medication class abbreviation
- SNRIPsychiatric medication class
precursor · modulator · blocker · enhancer · psychopharmacology · dose-response · desensitization · downregulation · upregulation · tolerance
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- nervous systembrain, nerves, spinal cord, axon, dendrite
- neurologybrain, synapse, synapses, axon, CNS
- neuroscienceMRI, brain, synapses, dendrite, synapse
- secretionssaliva, sweat, mucus, bile, tears
- Neurochemistrydopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, acetylcholine, GABA