Major Neurotransmitters

Class	Subcategory	Neurotransmitter	Function/Disorders	Area(s)
		Acetylcholine	Sleep, memory, muscle contraction, Alzheimer’s disease (low levels)	Throughout the CNS and PNS
Monoamines	Indolamines	Serotonin	Mood, eating, wakefulness, depression (low levels)	Raphe nuclei (midbrain and hindbrain)
	Catecholamines	Dopamine	Voluntary movement, recognition of rewards, schizophrenia (high levels), Parkinson’s disease (low levels)	Substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area (both in tegmentum)
		Norepinephrine	Emotion and mood	Locus coeruleus
		Epinephrine	Fight or flight response	Sympathetic nervous system
Amino Acids		Glutamate	Main excitatory neurotransmitter	Throughout the brain
		GABA	Main inhibitory neurotransmitter	Throughout the brain
Peptides		Endorphins	Pain reduction	Periaqueductal gray matter
		Substance P	Experiencing pain	Throughout the brain
Lipids		Endocanabinoids	Pain reduction, sedation, appetite	Throughout the brain
Nucleosides		Adenosine	Control of sleep	Throughout the CNS and PNS
Soluble Gases		Nitric Oxide (NO)	Learning, memory, many other functions/disorders	Throughout the CNS and PNS

Note: Students are expected to know and may be tested on all terms in bold. Other information in the table is provided for those wanting more detail and will not appear on an exam.