A chemical formed from a single amino acid group. The key monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain are acetylcholine, DOPAMINE, EPINEPHRINE, NOREPINEPHRINE, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters facilitate neuron communication related to mood, emotion, memory, pleasure, and cognitive function. As well, dopamine and, to a lesser extent, acetylcholine have functions related to movement. changes in the levels of these neurotransmitters are linked to various health conditions:
• Dopamine depletion in the basal ganglia is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease and causes impaired movement.
• Acetylcholine depletion in the basal forebrain is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and causes COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT.
• Low levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and cerebral dopamine contribute to depression.
• Elevated levels of cerebral dopamine or hyper-sensitivity of dopamine receptors in the cerebrum contribute to psychosis and schizophrenia.
As well, the proportions of these neurotransmit-ters to one another appear to be important to proper brain function; however, scientists do not entirely understand the intricacies of their relationships. Restoring them to normal levels to the extent that this is possible also restores their balance within the brain.
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