Review Article ROLE OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN THE HUMAN BODY

Abstract

A number of neurotransmitters are released in the body. Acetylcholine plays a role in the control of sleep and wakefulness, movements, memory and learning. Dopamine has a role in reward, behavior, and addiction. Hyperactivity of dopaminergic receptors is involved in some type of psychosis. Locus ceruleus and norepinephrine are involved in REM sleep. Serotonin is involved in the control of sleep, intake of food, remodeling of bone, reproductive behavior, emotional states, temperature and sensory perception. Substance P is the neurotransmitter in the slow pain pathway. Excessive glutamate receptor activation may give rise to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Degeneration of GABA secreting neurons results into Huntington’s chorea. Brain histamine takes part in the regulation of wakefulness, sexual behavior, blood pressure, drinking, pain threshold and anterior pituitary hormones. Nitric-oxide takes part in the control of long term behavior and memory. Opioid neurotransmitters inhibit cerebral neurons involved in the perception of the pain.

Conclusion:

It is concluded that neurotransmitters are involved in the regulation of many body functions and their disturbances lead to many diseases.