Download Neurotransmitter Chart (completed)

Neurotransmitter Chart
Neurotransmitter
Function
Acetylcholine
(Ach)
Excitatory: Stimulates
muscle contraction;
involved in memory,
learning and general
intellectual
functioning
Inhibitory:
pleasurable sensations
involved in movement,
attention, learning,
and
Inhibitory: moods and
emotional states
Excitatory: Used for
arousal in the
flight/fight response,
plays a role in learning
and memory retrieval
Inhibitory: helps to
offset excitatory
messages and regulate
daily sleep-wake cycles
Inhibitory: involved in
pain perception and
positive emotions
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid)
Endorphins
Glutamate
Excitatory:
Used in memory,
learning, movement
Effect of
Deficit
Alzheimer’s
Effect of
Surplus
Severe Muscle
Spasms
Agonist Drug
Nicotine
Antagonist
Drug
Curare
Black Widow
Spider Venom
Parkinson’s
Schizophrenia
Drug Addiction
L-dopa
Cocaine
Depression,
mood disorders
Mental
disorders,
especially
depression
Autism
Prozac
SSRIs
Caffeine,
Amphetamines
Anxiety
Anxiety
Sleep and eating
disorders
Valium,
Xanax,
ALCOHOL
Body
experiences
pain
Body may not
give adequate
warning about
pain,
Artificial highs
Too much
glutamate (and
too little GABA)
associated with
epileptic
seizures
Opiates
Anti-psychotic
drugs like
Thorazine
Naloxone