Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine and Dopamine

Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine (ACh)

• Involved in:
  • Muscle contraction and relaxation
  • Regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
  • Memory formation and learning
• Functions:
  • Excitatory neurotransmitter
  • Stimulates muscle contraction
  • Involved in REM sleep and dreaming
• Receptors:
  • Nicotinic receptors (found in the CNS and PNS)
  • Muscarinic receptors (found in the PNS)

Dopamine

• Involved in:
  • Motor control and coordination
  • Reward and pleasure
  • Mood regulation
  • Motivation and attention
• Functions:
  • Inhibitory neurotransmitter
  • Regulates movement and balance
  • Involved in learning and memory
  • Plays a role in addiction
• Receptors:
  • D1-like receptors (excitatory)
  • D2-like receptors (inhibitory)

Serotonin (5-HT)

• Involved in:
  • Mood regulation
  • Appetite and sleep
  • Pain modulation
  • Inflammation
• Functions:
  • Inhibitory neurotransmitter
  • Regulates mood and emotional state
  • Involved in appetite and sleep regulation
  • Reduces pain and inflammation
• Receptors:
  • 5-HT1 receptors (autoreceptors)
  • 5-HT2 receptors (postsynaptic receptors)

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

• Involved in:
  • Inhibitory neurotransmission
  • Anxiety and fear regulation
  • Sleep and relaxation
  • Muscle tone regulation
• Functions:
  • Inhibitory neurotransmitter
  • Reduces neuronal excitability
  • Calms and relaxes the body
  • Regulates muscle tone
• Receptors:
  • GABAA receptors (fast-acting)
  • GABAB receptors (slow-acting)

Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)

• Involved in:
  • Attention and arousal
  • Stress response
  • Regulation of blood pressure
  • Mood regulation
• Functions:
  • Excitatory neurotransmitter
  • Increases alertness and attention
  • Involved in the "fight or flight" response
  • Regulates blood pressure and heart rate
• Receptors:
  • Alpha receptors (excitatory)
  • Beta receptors (inhibitory)

Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine (ACh)

• Regulates muscle contraction and relaxation, as well as the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• Plays a key role in memory formation and learning
• Functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter, stimulating muscle contraction
• Involved in REM sleep and dreaming
• Binds to nicotinic receptors (found in the CNS and PNS) and muscarinic receptors (found in the PNS)

Dopamine

• Regulates motor control and coordination, as well as reward and pleasure
• Involved in mood regulation, motivation, and attention
• Functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, regulating movement and balance
• Plays a role in learning and memory, and is involved in addiction
• Binds to D1-like receptors (excitatory) and D2-like receptors (inhibitory)

Serotonin (5-HT)

• Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, as well as pain modulation and inflammation
• Functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, regulating emotional state
• Involved in appetite and sleep regulation, reducing pain and inflammation
• Binds to 5-HT1 receptors (autoreceptors) and 5-HT2 receptors (postsynaptic receptors)

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

• Involved in inhibitory neurotransmission, anxiety and fear regulation, and sleep and relaxation
• Regulates muscle tone and reduces neuronal excitability
• Functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, calming and relaxing the body
• Binds to GABAA receptors (fast-acting) and GABAB receptors (slow-acting)

Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)

• Involved in attention and arousal, stress response, and regulation of blood pressure and mood
• Functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter, increasing alertness and attention
• Involved in the "fight or flight" response, regulating blood pressure and heart rate
• Binds to alpha receptors (excitatory) and beta receptors (inhibitory)