Neuroransmitters

Transmitter Molecule Derived From Site of Synthesis Acetylcholine Choline CNS, parasympathetic nerves Serotonin 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) Tryptophan CNS, chromaffin cells of the gut, enteric cells GABA Glutamate CNS Glutamate CNS Aspartate CNS Glycine spinal cord Histamine Histidine hypothalamus Epinephrine synthesis pathway Tyrosine adrenal medulla, some CNS cells Norpinephrine synthesis pathway Tyrosine CNS, sympathetic nerves Dopamine synthesis pathway Tyrosine CNS Adenosine ATP CNS, periperal nerves ATP sympathetic, sensory and enteric nerves Nitric oxide, NO Arginine CNS, gastrointestinal …

…but also have significant medical application in the treatment of disorders such as glaucoma and myasthenia gravis as well as in terminating the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents such as atropine. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natural Cholinergic Agonist and Antagonists Source of Compound Mode of Action Agonists Nicotine Alkaloid prevalent in the tobacco plant Activates nicotinic class of ACh receptors, locks the channel open Muscarine Alkaloid produced by Amanita muscaria mushrooms Activates muscarinic class of ACh receptors a-Latrotoxin