Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons. The document discusses the history and criteria for classifying a substance as a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are classified based on their chemical nature as amino acids, amines, or others. They are also classified based on their function as either excitatory or inhibitory. The document describes examples from each group and where they are secreted in the body. It further explains the processes of transport, release, inactivation, and reuptake of neurotransmitters at the synapse.

1. NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Dr. LAKSHMI PAVANI P. (PT)

2.  DEFINITION- Neurotransmitter is a chemical
substance that acts as the mediator for the
transmission of nerve impulses from one neuron
to another neuron through synapse. It a messenger
of neurologic information from one cell to
another.
 HISTORY-Evidence of neurotransmitter was first
discovered by an Australian scientist named Otto
Loewi in 1921. He dreamt of an experiment,
which he did practically and came out with this
discovery.

3. CRITERIA FOR NEUROTANSMITTER
Nowadays, many substances are categorized as
neurotransmitters. To consider a substance as a
neurotransmitter, it should fulfill certain criteria as given
below
 The substance must be found in a neuron
1. It must be produced by a neuron
2. It must be released by a neuron
3. After release, it must act on a target area and produce
some biological effect.
4. After the action it must be inactivated

4. CLASSIFICATION OF
NEUROTANSMITTERS
 DEPENDING UPON CHEMICAL NATURE-
1. Amino Acids- The neurotransmitters of this group are involved in
fast synaptic transmission and are inhibitory and excitatory in
action. Eg. GABA, glycine, glutamate and aspartate.
2. Amines- Amines are the modified amino acids. The
neurotransmitters of this group involve in slow synaptic
transmission and are inhibitory and excitatory in action. Eg.
Noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and histamine.
3. Others- the one which do not fit in any of these categories. Eg.
Acetyl choline and nitric oxide.

5. DEPENDING UPON FUNCTION
 Excitatory Neurotransmitters:
 It is the chemical substance which is responsible for the conduction of
impulses from presynaptic neurons to post synaptic neurons.
 The neurotransmitter released from the presynaptic axon terminal does not
cause development of action potential in the post synaptic neuron.
 Rather, it causes some changes in the resting membrane potential- slight
depolarization by the opening of sodium channels in the post synaptic
membrane and the influx of sodium ions from ECF.
 The slight depolarization is called excitatory post synaptic potentials
(EPSP).
 EPSP in turn causes development of action potential in the initial segment
of the axon of the postsynaptic neuron.
 The common excitatory neurotransmitters are acetylcholine and
noradrenaline.

6.  Inhibitory Neurotransmitters:
 It is the chemical substance which inhibits the conduction
of impulses from the presynaptic neuron to the
postsynaptic neuron.
 When it is released from the presynaptic axon terminal
due to the arrival of action potential, it causes opening of
potassium channels in the postsynaptic membrane and
efflux of potassium ions.
 This leads to hyperpolarization which is called inhibitory
postsynaptic potentials (IPSP).
 When IPSP is developed, the action potential is not
generated in the postsynaptic neuron.
 The common inhibitory neurotransmitters are gamma
amino butyric acid (GABA) and dopamine.

7. TRANSPORT AND RELEASE OF
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
 The neurotransmitter is produced in the cell body of the
neuron and is transmitted through the axon.
 At the axon terminal, the neurotransmitter is stored in
small packets called vesicles.
 Under the influence of a stimuli, theses vesicles open and
release the neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.
 It binds to specific receptors on the surface of the
postsynaptic cell.
 The receptor G proteins, protein kinase or ligand- gated
receptors.

8. INACTIVATION OF
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
 After the execution of the action, neurotransmitter is
inactivated by four mechanisms:
1. It diffuses out of the synaptic cleft to the area where it has
no action.
2. It is destroyed or disintegrated by specific enzymes
3. It is engulfed and removed by astrocytes
4. It is removed by means of reuptake into the axon terminal.

9. REUPTAKE OF
NEUROTRANSMIITERS
Reuptake is a process by which the
neurotransmitter is taken back from synaptic
cleft into the axon terminal after execution of
its action.
The reuptake process involves a specific
carrier protein for each neurotransmitter.

10. AMINO ACIDS
GROUPS NAME SITE OF SECRITION ACTION
Amino acids GABA Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia,
spinal cord and retina
Inhibitory
Amino acids Glycine Forebrain, brainstem, spinal cord and retina Inhibitory
Amino acids Glutamate Cerebral cortex, brainstem and cerebellum Excitatory
Amino acids Aspartate Cerebellum, spinal cord and retina Excitatory

11. AMINES
GROUPS NAME SITE OF SECRITION ACTION
Amines Noradrenalin
e
Postganglionic adrenergic sympathetic nerve
endings, cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, basal
ganglia, brainstem and spinal cord
Excitatory and
Inhibitory
Amines Adrenaline Hypothalamus, thalamus and spinal cord Excitatory and
Inhibitory
Amines Dopamine Basal ganglia, hypothalamus, limbic system, neo
cortex, retina and synaptic ganglia.
Inhibitory
Amines Serotonin Hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebellum,
spinal cord, retina, GI tract, lungs and platelets.
Inhibitory
Amines Histamine Hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, GI tract and
mast cells
Excitatory

12. OTHERS
GROUPS NAME SITE OF SECRITION ACTIOPN
Others Nitric oxide Many parts of CNS, neuromuscular junction
and GI tract
Excitatory
Others Acetylcholi
ne
Pre ganglionic parasympathetic nerve endings
Post ganglionic parasympathetic nerve
endings
Pre ganglionic sympathetic nerve endings
Post ganglionic sympathetic cholinergic nerve
endings
Neuromuscular junction, cerebral cortex,
hypothalamus, basal ganglia, thalamus and
retina
Excitatory

13. THANK YOU!