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Neurotransmitters In Research Paper

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Neurotransmitters are used by the brain to communicate with itself and the nervous system; they are released and received by the brains many nerves cells also called neurons. Neurotransmitters are used for neurons to communicate with each other, communication between neurons is continuous. This communication system is essential to all of the brain's functions. (Nemade, et al,2007). Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals that are located in the synaptic vesicles found in the synaptic knob in the presynaptic part of the synapse. Serotonin is an example of a neurotransmitter.
5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) also known as Serotonin, is a monoamine which is made in a biochemical conversion process using tryptophan. 80-90% of 5-HT in the body is …show more content…
An electrical impulse travels down the pre-synaptic neuron, this stimulates an influx of calcium ions which promotes the movement of vesicles containing 5-HT to move and bound to the membrane of the pre-synaptic knob. 5-HT is then released into the synapse and they bind to specific receptors on the post-synaptic neuron this causes them to change shape allowing sodium ions to move into the neuron this causes the electrical impulse to be carried down the next neuron. For the process of communication to be efficient reuptake of 5-HT has to occur, this is done by the 5-HTT protein which transports 5-HT back into the pre-synaptic neuron. There are many 5-HT receptors differing in structure and functions they have been divided into seven groups. (Pauwels 2003) Most of these receptors transmit signals through G proteins. (Dukat et al 2000) Two examples of these receptors are: 5-HT1A and 5-HT4.
There are two functions of 5-HT1A receptors they can be autoreceptors in the raphe nuclei or postsynaptic receptors in areas of the brain responsible for motivation, emotion and memory. The stimulation of these receptors faciliatate acetylcholine (ACh) and noradrenaline (NA); ACh stimulates muscle movement and noradrenaline plays a major role in the sympathetic nervous system. (Bader

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