Slide portion of introduction to neurotransmitters presented in July 2014 to the attendees of the Masters in Human Anatomy & Physiology Instruction teaching practicum, New York Chiropractic College, July, 2014. Simple bullet point and figure association presented with in-person lecture to introduce allied health undergraduates to neurotransmitters.

1. Neurotransmitters
Heather Cutler, BA, DC

2. How to Think About Neurotransmitters
● Measuring?
● Every brain is different
● Every adaptation is different
● Thoughtful explanations for patients
– Requires understanding the mechanism of
neurotransmission
– Acknowledge the patient as changing, not the drug as
changing the patient

3. Test Tubes vs. People
www.stockpodium.com, www.health.com

4. The Brain Changes the Brain
● Brain is adapting to the presence of the drug
● Drug is not changing the brain
● Cannot measure adaptation
● Each patient’s brain will adapt differently to
the same drug
www.louisianaweekly.com; www.drfelixcasados.com

5. Www.shopstyle.com, www.pd4pic.com
Neurotransmitters
are our friends,
mostly.

6. Chemical Synapse Allows Control
http://commonconstitutionalist.com/2013/02/page/2/
PASS THIS GUY, QUICK!

7. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/oakwood-theme-park-thrill-seekers-stranded-2138272
Electrical Synapses are Automatic
YOU ARE ON FOR THE RIDE

8. The Chemical Synapse

9. Neurotransmitter Journey
www.clker.com;www.jackandfriends.com

10. Fate of NT’s in the Cleft
● Degraded by
enzyme
● Reuptake of
component parts by
pre-synaptic neuron
– Recycled
● Co-enzymes assist

11. Mechanisms of Synaptic
Transmission
•Excitatory neurotransmitters
–Propagate the signal
•Inhibitory neurotransmitters
–Stop the signal

12. Effect of NT Depends on Receptor
● Each neuron is continuously exposed to many
different neurotransmitters
● Some will have an excitatory effect; some an
inhibitory effect.
● In every case, the effect of the NT depends
entirely on the nature or kind of receptor on
the post-synaptic membrane

13. Major Classes of Neurotransmitters
● Acetylcholine
● Biogenic amines/catecholamines
● Amino acids
● Neuropeptides
● Dissolved gases

14. Common Neurotransmitters
● Norepinephrine (NE)
● Acetylcholine (Ach)
● Dopamine (DA)
● Serotonin (5-HTP)
● GABA (Gamma aminobutyric acid)

15. Acetylcholine
uh-see-dul-COAL-lean/Southern
ah-Seh-til-KO-leen/Northern
● Cholinergic synapse
● Skeletal muscle excitatory
● Cardiac muscle inhibitory
● Parasympathetic
– Feed & Breed, Rest & Digest

16. Acetylcholine to Skeletal Muscle
Humanbiologylab.pblabworks.com

17. Huntington’s Disease (Ach)
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

18. Epinephrine
EP-uh-nef-fren/Southern
ep-i-NEF-rin/Northern
● Noradrenaline & Adrenaline
● Adrenergic synapse
● Sympathetic
● Fight or flight
– Increase heartbeat, slow or stop digestion, tunnel vision,
increase respiratory rate, blood shunted to extremities
Norpinephrine
NOR-ep-uh-NEF-fren/Southern
nor-ep-i-NEF-rin/Northern

19. Norepinephrine & Epinephrine

20. Dopamine
DOPE-ah-mean/Southern
DO-puh-men/Northern
• Precise control of
movement
• Reward pathways
• Parkinson’s dz
• Cocaine
www.taringa.net

21. Dopamine & Parkinson’s Disease
www.antiagingfirewalls.com Seekingalpha.com

22. Serotonin
sara-TONE-en/Southern
ser-o-TO-nin/Northern
● Emotion
● Attention span
● Sleep/wake cycle
● Depression
● Chronic pain syndromes
“Happy” in her bed, 2014.
A southern dog.

23. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
www.bluelight.org www.dmlawfirm.com

24. Gamma Aminobutyric Acid
GHAM-ah uh-MEAN-o {pause} bue-TIRE-rick
ay-sid/Southern
Gyeah-ma a-ME-no-bu-TER-ik eya-cid/Northern
● GABA
● Pain control
● Anxiety
● Epilepsy
● Migraines

25. Gamma Aminobutyric Acid
www.sistermanervoso.com Mcg.metrocreativeconnection.com

26. References:
•Martini, FH, Nath, JL, & Bartholomew, EF.
(2012). Fundamentals of Anatomy &
Physiology (9th ed.). Boston, MA:
Benjamin Cummings.
•All clip art images herein are used with
permission from Microsoft.