Neurotransmitter Summary

Neurotransmitter Summary

by Dr. C Golding (MBCHB, FCP(SA), ABAARM, FAAFM)

Neurotransmitters are essentially molecules of behaviour. There are many of them, but essentially there are the big 5 (dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, gaba, serotonin)

1. DOPAMINE

Functions : motivation, meaning, energy, enthusiasm, power, movement, pain and pleasure, implementation of thought

Excess : impulsive, violence, overdrive

Deficiency : fatigue, addictions, depressive symptoms, ADD, hyperactivity, obesity

Common clinical correlate : parkinsons disease

Metabolism :

Phenylalanine (aminoacid)

Tyrosine (aminoacid)

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)

L-dopa

Dopamine

Regulation of dopamine synthesis :

TH converts tyrosine to L-dopa and is the rate limiting step in dopamine synthesis

TH requires iron as its cofactor

TH is inhibited by iron chelators and iron deficient anemia

Cofactors : vitamin c, copper, niacin

Nutrition : higher protein, smaller meals, carbohydrate restriction

Foods high in tyrosine : rice, leafy vegetables, milk, cottage cheese, curd

Treatment considerations:

D, L phenylalanine (especially for pain and fatigue)

L-tyrosine

Methionine

B-complex

Ascorbic acid

Copper

Rhodiola

Ginkgo biloba

2. NOREPINEPHRINE

Functions : attention, vigilance, focus, sympathetic nervous system, sweating, blood pressure, fight or flight (immediate response)

Excess : anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder

Deficiency : autonomic failure, loss of energy, orthostatic hypotension, abnormal temperature regulation (loss of sweating)

Clinical correlates : dysautonomia

Shy dragger syndrome

Common symptoms of norepinephrine imbalances:

ADD

Anxiety

Panic attacks

Depression

Sleep disturbances

Regulation of norepinephrine synthesis :

Dopamine

| (dopamine beta hydroxylase / DBH)

Norepinephrine

DBH requires copper and ascorbic acid as cofactors

DBH is inhibited by copper chelators : cysteine and glutathione

Treatment considerations :

Similar to treatments for dopamine since dopamine is the precursor

Norepinephrine also requires methyl donors :

**homocysteine metabolism

b complex
folate
b12
b6

**SAM e (S-adenosylmethionine)

Theanine ( a green tea extract, increases dopamine and decreases norepinephrine)

Arginine is an endogenous dopamine and norepinephrine agonist

Natural strategies to reduce excess norepinephrine and anxiety

_______________________________________________________

Inhibit DBH N-acetylcysteine

Glutathione

Reduce norepinephrine binding lacteum (indirect via gaba receptors)

Lower norepinephrine-mediated DHA

Second messenger activity

Block Norepinephrine release theanine (indirect effect via glutamate receptors)

Downregulation of post synaptic atomoxetine

norepinephrine rceptor

3. ACETYLCHOLINE

Functions : memory, learning, information processing, language

Excess : isolation and paranoia, loss of concentration, burnout

Deficiency : memory loss, agitation, loss of creativity, learning disorders

Clinical correlates : altzheimers dementia, autism (spectral disorders)

Metabolsim : phosphatidyl choline + Acetyl CoA

| choline

acetyltransferase

choline + acetyl CoA

| choline esterase

Ach + coA

Cofactors : mitochondria support, acetyl L carnitine, taurine

Treatment considerations:

Choline/lecithin

Phosphatidyl choline

Phosphatidyl serine

Acetyl-L-carnitine (CoA)

Taurine

Lipoic acid

Coenzyme q10

B-complex (B12)

Ginkgo biloba

B-complex (B12)

Hormones (dhea, pregnenolone)

4. GABA

Functions : regulation, balance, integration (an inhibitory neurotransmitter, antianxiety)

Excess : loss of control, seeking nurturing

Deficiency : tremor, anxiety, insomnia, tension, cardiac dysrhythmias, manic depression, adjustment disorders, OCD, phobias, restlessness, hypertension

Clinical correlates : anxiety, seizures

Gaba imbalances cause : anxiety, depression, restlessness, excessive worrying, insomnia, sleep disturbances

Glutamate and brain function: excitability

Role in cellular memory

Pain perception

Potentiation

Amplification

Glutamate imbalance symptoms: chronic pain, mood lability, mania, paroxysmal symptoms, neurodegeneration

Metabolsim GABA:

Alpha-keto glutarate + glutamine

(glycine)glutamic acid (glutamate)

Gamma-aminbutyric acid (GABA)

Cofactors: inositol, b6, magnesium

Treament considerations :

GABA (sublingual)

Glycine

Niacinamide

Inositol

L-theanine

B6

Magnesium

Valerian root, passion flower, kavakava

Pyridoxine (vit b6) effects : B6 involved in glutamic acid decarboxylase

B6 downregulates central glucocorticoid receptors

Deficient b6 = neuronal irritability

Birth control pills are a common cause of b6 deficiency

NAC : n-acetylcysteine is a glutamate antagonist by its involvement with the cysteine-glutamate transporter : intracellular cysteine entry in exchange for export of glutamate

Taurine activates gaba a receptors

5. SEROTONIN

Functions : sensory integration, excitement, enthusiasm, joy ,challenge

Excess : anxiety, nervousness, tremor, feelings of inferiority and shyness

Deficiency : poor sleep, early arousal, sadness, lassitude, OCD, sugar/carbohydrate craving, irritable bowel syndrome, PMS, pain

Metabolism :

Tryptophan

tryptophan hydroxylase

5htp

Serotonin

Melatonin

Cofactors : b6, magnesium

Regulation of tryptophan hydroxylase

_______________________________________________________

positive modulation : oxygen, folic acid, sulfhydryl groups, SSRI’s

negative modulaion : Nitric oxide, l-dopa, PCBs, nicotine

Treatment considerations :

5htp

melatonin

mg

b6

sam e

st john’s wort

carbohydrates increase release

Natural serotonin agonists : 5htp

Folic acid

Dhea

Vitamin d

St john’s wort

Physical activity

Improving the 5htp system:

** repetitive exercise using axial muscles

ex. Jogging, walking

aerobics

tai chi, yoga

** nutritional support : tryptophan (wild game, pork, turkey, chicken, cottage cheese, avocado, eggs)

** carbohydrate patterning (simple carbohydrates often craved, so restriction to specific time can improve the system)

** B-vitamins, 5htp, st john’s wort, zn, mg

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