| Neurotransmitter |
Type |
Derived From |
Clinical Relevance |
| GABA |
Amino acid |
Glutamate |
The most ubiquitous. Involved in sleep, anxiety reduction, muscle relaxation. Involved in relaxing effects of alcohol. |
| L-tryptophan (L-T) |
Amino acid |
Can only be obtained in the diet. |
Promotes sleep, especially when taken with a high carbohydate, low protien meal. Dangerous when consumed with MAO antidepressants. |
| Tyramine (Tyr) |
Amino acid |
Fats and carbohydates |
Dangerous when consumed with MAO antidepressants. |
| Glutamate (Glu) |
Amino acid |
Fats and carbohydates |
MSG reaction to Chinese food. The major excitatory amino acid. May be associated with neurotoxic effect in alcoholism. |
| Dopamine (DA) |
Biogenic amine |
Tyrosine, fats, and carbohydates |
Mania, schizophrenia, Parkinson's diease, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, tics, blood pressure regulation. Antipsychotics (major tranquilizers) inhibit DA action. Some antidepessants act here. |
| Norepinephrine (NE) |
Biogenic amine |
Dopamine |
Depression, anxiety, panic, blood pressure regulation. Necessary for learning and memory. |
| Serotonin (5-HT) |
Biogenic amine |
L-tryptophan |
Depression, mania, anxiety, blood pressure and temerature regulation. Many antidepressants, new antipsychotics, and nonadicting antianxiety agents act on these conditions via this neurotransmitter. |