Neurotransmitters in CNS
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This document discusses neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the central nervous system. It describes how neurotransmitters transmit signals across synapses and provides examples of small molecule and large molecule transmitters. The major neurotransmitters discussed include amino acids like GABA, glycine, and glutamate, acetylcholine, and monoamines like dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, histamine, and serotonin. It outlines the synthesis, storage, release, and termination of these neurotransmitters. Receptor types are also summarized.
![Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids
• Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
• GABAB receptors:
– The GABAB receptors are metabotropic GPCRs.
– GABAB receptors are widespread in the CNS and regulate
both pre- and postsynaptic activity.
– Presynaptic GABAB receptors function as autoreceptors,
inhibiting GABA release, and may play the same role on
neurons releasing other transmitters.
– Drugs such as baclofen (skeletal muscle relaxant) and
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate [GHB] (psychoactive drug;
sometimes used to treat narcolepsy) are acting on GABAB
receptors .
– Subtypes of GABAB receptors : GABAB1; GABAB2
14](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/neurotransmittersincns-190923062344/85/Neurotransmitters-in-CNS-14-320.jpg)
![Central Neurotransmitters - Trace Amines
– As the name implies, they are detected at trace levels
(they have very short half-lives due to rapid metabolism by
monoamine oxidase [MAO]).
– Some trace amines act as neuromodulators/
neurotransmitters at specific trace amine receptors
(TAAR1, TAAR2, TAAR5, TAAR6, TAAR8, and TAAR9).
– Examples: tyramine, β-phenylephrine, and octopamine
29](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/neurotransmittersincns-190923062344/85/Neurotransmitters-in-CNS-29-320.jpg)
Neurotransmitters in CNS
- 1. Central Nervous system Neurotransmitters Dr. S. Parasuraman, M.Pharm., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University. Transmission of nerve impulse
- 2. Neurotransmitters • Neurotransmitters are endogenous chemical messengers that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse that enable neurotransmission. • Neurotransmitter is unevenly distributed in the nervous system and its distribution parallels that of its receptors and synthesizing and catabolizing enzymes. 2
- 3. Neuromodulators • Some chemicals released by neurons have little or no direct effects on their own but can modify the effects of neurotransmitters. These chemicals are called neuromodulators. • Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators can be divided into two major categories: small-molecule transmitters and large-molecule transmitters. 3
- 4. Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators • Small-molecule transmitters: Monoamines (eg, acetylcholine, serotonin, histamine), catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine), and amino acids (eg, glutamate, GABA, glycine). • Large-molecule transmitters: Large-molecule transmitters include a large number of peptides (short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds) called neuropeptides including substance P, enkephalin, vasopressin, and a host of others. In general, neuropeptides are colocalized with one of the small-molecule neurotransmitters. 4
- 5. Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators 5 Examples of colocalization of small-molecule transmitters with neuropeptides
- 6. Receptors • Receptors are proteins nature and usually present on cell surface. • Receptors are macromolecule or binding site located on the surface or inside the effector cell that serves to recognize the signal molecule/drug and initiate the response to it, but itself has no other function. 6
- 7. Criteria for Neurotransmitters • The transmitter must be present in the presynaptic terminals of the synapse. • Enough quantity transmitter must be released from the presynaptic nerve concomitantly with nerve activity to have an effect. • The effects of experimental application of the putative transmitter should mimic the effects of stimulating the presynaptic pathway. • If available, specific pharmacological agonists and antagonists should stimulate and block, respectively, the measured functions of the putative transmitter. • There should be a mechanism present (either reuptake or enzymatic degradation) that terminates the actions of the transmitter. 7
- 8. Cell Signaling and Synaptic Transmission • Cellular signaling links neurotransmitter receptor activation to downstream biological effects. 8 Transmitter release, action, and inactivation. 1. The influx of Ca2+ during an action potential (AP) triggers 2. Exocytosis – store neurotransmitter 3. Act through second messengers 4. Receptors 5. Can inhibit or enhance subsequent exocytosis 6. Transport protein coupled to the Na+ gradient 7. Degradation 8. uptake and metabolism 9. Storage 10. larger, dense core granules within the nerve terminal 11. Distinct from active zones after repetitive stimulation
- 9. Cell Signaling and Synaptic Transmission • Cellular signaling links neurotransmitter receptor activation to downstream biological effects. – Neurotransmitter synthesis: Small-molecule neurotransmitters are Synthesized in nerve terminals and peptides are synthesized in cell bodies and transported to nerve terminals. – Neurotransmitter storage: Synaptic vesicles store transmitters. – Neurotransmitter release: Release of stored transmitter from the storage vesicle into the synaptic cleft occurs by exocytosis. Depolarization of the presynaptic neuron initiate the release process. The release based on Ca2+-dependent release of vesicular contents. – Neurotransmitter recognition: Neurotransmitters diffuse from sites of release and bind selectively to receptor proteins to initiate intracellular signal transduction events within the postsynaptic cell. – Termination of action: Mechanisms such as enzymatic inactivation, reuptake terminates the action. 9
- 10. Central Neurotransmitters • Neurotransmitters can be classified by chemical structure into various categories, including amino acids, acetylcholine (ACh), monoamines, neuropeptides, purines, lipids, and gases. 10
- 11. Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids • Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) (inhibitory neurotransmitter) • Glycine (inhibitory neurotransmitter) • Glutamate and aspartate (excitatory neurotransmitter) • All three compounds are present in high concentrations in the CNS and are extremely potent modifiers of neuronal excitability. 11
- 12. Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids • Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) – GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. – GABA is synthesized in the brain from the Krebs cycle. – GABA acts by binding to and activating specific ionotropic or metabotropic receptors on both pre- and postsynaptic membranes. – It also mediates inhibition within the cerebral cortex and between the caudate nucleus and the substantia nigra. 12 GABA receptors: GABAA receptors GABAB receptors One subtype formerly known as the GABAC receptor is now classified as a type of GABAA receptor.
- 13. Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids • Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) • GABAA receptors: – GABAA receptors are the most prominent GABA receptor subtype. – GABAA are ionotropic, ligand-gated Cl- channels. – The GABAA receptors have been extensively characterized as important drug targets and are the site of action of many neuroactive drugs including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, ethanol, anesthetic steroids, and volatile anesthetics. 13
- 14. Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids • Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) • GABAB receptors: – The GABAB receptors are metabotropic GPCRs. – GABAB receptors are widespread in the CNS and regulate both pre- and postsynaptic activity. – Presynaptic GABAB receptors function as autoreceptors, inhibiting GABA release, and may play the same role on neurons releasing other transmitters. – Drugs such as baclofen (skeletal muscle relaxant) and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate [GHB] (psychoactive drug; sometimes used to treat narcolepsy) are acting on GABAB receptors . – Subtypes of GABAB receptors : GABAB1; GABAB2 14
- 15. Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids • Glycine • Glycine is an amino acid normally incorporated into proteins that can also act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, particularly in the spinal cord and brainstem. • Glycine acts as a coagonist at NMDA receptors, such that both glutamate and glycine must be present for activation to occur. • Agonist for glycine receptor: Taurine and β-alanine • Antagonist for glycine receptor: Strychnine 15
- 16. Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids • Glutamate and aspartate • Glutamate and aspartate are dicarboxylate amino acid neurotransmitters with excitatory actions in the CNS. • Both amino acids are found in high concentrations in the brain and have powerful excitatory effects on neurons. • Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter and the principal fast excitatory neurotransmitter. • Glutamate acts though either ligandgated ion channels (ionotropic) or metabotropic GPCRs receptors. • Types of ligandgated ion channels: NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors, and KA receptors. 16
- 17. Central Neurotransmitters - Amino Acids • Glutamate and aspartate • Classification of glutamate receptors 17
- 18. Central Neurotransmitters - Acetylcholine • Acetylcholine is present throughout the nervous system and functions as a neurotransmitter. It was the first neurotransmitter discovered and plays a primary role in the autonomic nervous system in ganglionic transmission as well as the peripheral nervous system. • The effects of ACh result from interaction with nicotinic receptors (ionotropic ligand-gated ion channels) and muscarinic receptors (metabotropic GPCRs). 18
- 19. Central Neurotransmitters - Acetylcholine • Activation by ACh results in a rapid increase in the influx of Na+ and Ca2+ and subsequent depolarization. • Nicotinic cholinergic receptors appear to desensitize rapidly. 19 • The degeneration of particular cholinergic pathways is a hallmark of Alzheimer disease.
- 20. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Dopamine • Norepinephrine • Epinephrine • Histamine • Serotonin Each system is anatomically distinct and serves separate, but similar, functional roles within its field of innervations. 20
- 21. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Dopamine (DA): – DA is the precursor norepinephrine and it is the predominant catecholamine in the CNS. – DA play a role in motivation and reward (most drugs of abuse increase DA signaling), motor control, and the release of various hormones. 21
- 22. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Dopamine (DA): – There are four major DA-containing pathways in the CNS • The nigrostriatal pathway: neural pathway between substantia nigra and corpus striatum • The mesocortical pathway: neurons in the ventral tegmental nucleus project to a variety of midbrain structures and to the frontal cortex • Mesolimbic pathway: this pathway is made up of projections from the ventral tegmental area that innervate many forebrain areas, the most important is the nucleus accumbens. • The tuberoinfundibular pathway: delivers DA to cells in the anterior pituitary 22
- 23. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Dopamine (DA): 23 DA-containing pathways and receptors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and Parkinson disease and in the side effects seen following pharmacotherapy of these disorders
- 24. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Norepinephrine (NE): – Large amounts of NE present within the hypothalamus and in certain zones of the limbic system (e.g., the central nucleus of the amygdala, the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus). – NE also is present in lower amounts in most brain regions. – NE is an endogenous neurotransmitter for the α and β adrenergic receptor subtypes that are present in the CNS. 24
- 25. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Epinephrine (EPI): – NE is converted into EPI by enzyme phenylethanolamine- N-methyltransferase. – EPI-containing neurons are found in the medullary reticular formation and diencephalic nuclei. – Their physiological properties have not been unequivocally identified. 25
- 26. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Histamine: – Histamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter in the CNS in addition to its well-known physiological function in immune and digestive responses in the periphery. – Histaminergic neurons are located in the ventral posterior hypothalamus. – Histamine signals through four GPCR subtypes (H1–H4) that regulate either adenylyl cyclase or Phospholipase C. 26
- 27. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Histamine (Receptor subtypes): – The H1 receptors are widely distributed in the brain, where high densities are found in regions linked to neuroendocrine, behavioral, and nutritional state control. – The H2 receptors activate adenylyl cyclase and are primarily involved in gastric acid secretion and smooth muscle relaxation. – The H3 receptors are also present in the CNS and can act as autoreceptors on histaminergic neurons to inhibit histamine synthesis and release. – The H4 receptors are expressed on cells of hematopoietic origin (eosinophils, T cells, mast cells, basophils, and dendritic cells) and are involved in eosinophil shape and mast cell chemotaxis. 27
- 28. Central Neurotransmitters - Monoamines • Serotonin (5- Hydroxytryptamine): – Neurons containing 5-HT are found in nine nuclei lying in or adjacent to the midline (raphe) regions of the pons and upper brainstem. 28
- 29. Central Neurotransmitters - Trace Amines – As the name implies, they are detected at trace levels (they have very short half-lives due to rapid metabolism by monoamine oxidase [MAO]). – Some trace amines act as neuromodulators/ neurotransmitters at specific trace amine receptors (TAAR1, TAAR2, TAAR5, TAAR6, TAAR8, and TAAR9). – Examples: tyramine, β-phenylephrine, and octopamine 29
- 30. Central Neurotransmitters - Peptides • Neuropeptides typically behave as modulators in the CNS rather than causing direct excitation or inhibition. • Peptides are involving in a wide array of brain functions, ranging from analgesia to social behaviors, learning, and memory. • Some CNS peptides function independently, most are thought to act in concert with coexisting neurotransmitters. Their action is not terminated by rapid reuptake into the presynaptic cell; rather, they are enzymatically inactivated by extracellular peptidases. 30
- 31. Central Neurotransmitters - Peptides 31
- 32. Central Neurotransmitters - Purines • Adenosine, ATP, Uridine diphosphate (UDP), and uridine triphosphate (UTP) have roles as extracellular signaling molecules. • ATP is also a component of many neurotransmitter storage vesicles and is released along with transmitters. • Extracellular nucleotides and adenosine can act on a family of diverse purinergic receptors, which have been implicated in a variety of functions, including memory and learning, locomotor behavior, and feeding. 32
- 33. Central Neurotransmitters - Neuromodulatory Lipids • Cannabinoids: – Cannabinoids identified as a psychoactive substance in marijuana. – Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of several active substances in marijuana – It has dramatic short-term effects, including causing feelings of euphoria and altered sensory perception. After chronic or long-term use, withdrawal symptoms include irritability and sleep disturbances. – The primary pharmacologic effects of THC follow its interaction with CB1 receptors in the CNS and CB2 receptors in the periphery. – CB1 receptors are found primarily in the basal ganglia, hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. – They are also expressed in some non-neuronal cells and tissues, including leukocytes and testis. 33
- 34. Central Neurotransmitters - Neuromodulatory Lipids • Other Lipid Mediators: – Arachidonic acid, normally stored within the cell membrane as a glycerol ester, can be liberated during phospholipid hydrolysis. – Arachidonic acid can be converted to highly reactive modulators by three major enzymatic pathways (cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and CYPs) 34
- 35. Central Neurotransmitters - Gases • Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide – Important regulator of vascular and inflammatory mediation. – Both constitutive and inducible forms of NOS are expressed in the brain. 35
- 36. Regulatory Substances • Neurotrophins • Neurosteroids • Cytokines – Neurotrophins: Neurotrophins regulate neuronal proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, and activity-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity in the CNS. Biological effects of neurotrophins and pro-NTs are mediated by the Trk family of tyrosine kinase receptors and the p75 neurotrophins receptor. 36
- 37. Regulatory Substances Neurosteroids: – Neuroactive steroids that are synthesized in neuronal tissue are known as neurosteroids. Based on structural features, the neurosteroids can be categorized. – Neurosteroids can allosterically modulate GABAA receptor complexes; glutamate receptors, including NMDA, AMPA, and KA; nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors; as well as sigma and glycine receptors. – Involved in cognition, stress, sleep, and arousal 37
- 38. Regulatory Substances Cytokines: – Cytokines are low-molecular-weight proteins that are secreted by many different cell types to modulate key cellular functions. – The primary immune effector cells in the CNS are glia, microglia, and astrocytes. – These cells can express and release a variety of cytokines, including the IL-1β and IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. 38
Editor's Notes
- #39: Acute neuroinflammation involves the release of cytokines and chemokines. Sustained chronic neuroinflammation accompanied by sustained brain exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines is, however, a factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric illnesses leading to cognitive and memory deficits and behavioral abnormalities