Library / English Dictionary

NEUROTRANSMITTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A neurochemical that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("neurotransmitter" is a kind of...):

neurochemical (any organic substance that occurs in neural activity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "neurotransmitter"):

Adrenalin; adrenaline; epinephrin; epinephrine (a catecholamine secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress (trade name Adrenalin); stimulates autonomic nerve action)

GABA; gamma aminobutyric acid (an amino acid that is found in the central nervous system; acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter)

acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter that is a derivative of choline; released at the ends of nerve fibers in the somatic and parasympathetic nervous systems)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Natural or synthetic Antimuscarinic Agents inhibit acetylcholine neurotransmitter action at muscarinic receptors.

(Antimuscarinic Agent, NCI Thesaurus)

Any agent that binds to and blocks nicotinic and/or muscarinic receptors, thereby preventing the actions of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (Ach) at these receptors.

(Anticholinergic Agent, NCI Thesaurus)

These agents block the action of natural sympathomimetic neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and related substances), and can initiate physiological responses such as vasodilation, bradycardia, and pupil contraction.

(Alpha-adrenergic antagonist, NCI Thesaurus)

Several important amino acids, such as the neurotransmitter g-aminobutyric acid, have other functions than protein synthesis.

(Amino Acid Biosynthesis, NCI Thesaurus)

Neurotransmitters are signaling molecules used by neurons to communicate across chemical synapses.

(Neurotransmitter Biosynthesis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

A neuropeptide is a molecule released by neurons as an intercellular neurotransmitter.

(Neuropeptide, NCI Thesaurus)

In neurons, calcium plays a role in the release of neurotransmitters.

(Calcium May Play A Role in Development of Parkinson's Disease, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Natural or synthetic compounds mimicking acetylcholine neurotransmitter action at nicotinic receptors, which are ionotropic receptors that form ligand-gated ion channels in plasma membranes.

(Nicotinic Agonist, NCI Thesaurus)

This area is where chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, bind to the receptor to turn it on or off.

(Structure of receptor involved in brain disorders, NIH)

Natural or synthetic compounds inhibiting acetylcholine neurotransmitter action at nicotinic receptors, which are ionotropic receptors that form ligand-gated ion channels in cells' plasma membranes.

(Nicotinic Antagonist, NCI Thesaurus)