Neurochemistry is a branch of neuroscience that is heavily devoted to the study of neurochemicals. A neurochemical is an organic molecule that participates in neural activity. This term is often used to refer to neurotransmitters and other molecules such as neuro-active drugs that influence neuron function. Drawing of the cells in the chicken cerebellum by S. Ramón y Cajal Neuroscience is a field that is devoted to the scientific study of the nervous system. ... Organic chemistry is a specific discipline within chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by synthesis or by other means) of chemical compounds consisting of primarily carbon and hydrogen, which may contain any number of other elements, including nitrogen, oxygen, halogens as well... Chemical structure of D-Aspartic Acid, a common Amino Acid neurotransmitter. ... Drawing by Santiago Ramón y Cajal of neurons in the pigeon cerebellum. ...

History

The founding of neurochemistry as a discipline traces it origins to a series of "International Neurochemical Symposia", of which the first symposium volume published in 1954 was titled Biochemistry of the Developing Nervous System.^[1] These meetings led to the formation of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the American Society for Neurochemistry. These early gatherings discussed the tentative nature of possible synaptic transmitter substances such as acetylcholine, histamine, substance P, and serotonin. By 1972, ideas were more concrete. Neurochemicals such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin were classified as "putative neurotransmitters in certain neuronal tracts in the brain." The chemical compound acetylcholine, often abbreviated as ACh, was the first neurotransmitter to be identified. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... In neuroscience, Substance P is a neuropeptide: a short-chain polypeptide that functions as a neurotransmitter and as a neuromodulator. ... Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract. ... Norepinephrine (INN) or noradrenaline (BAN) is a catecholamine and a phenethylamine with chemical formula C8H11NO3. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract. ...

Examples of neurochemicals

Neuropeptide oxytocin

• The neuropeptide oxytocin. Oxytocin is involved in the control of maternal behavior. It is synthesized inside magnocellular neurosecretory cells as a precursor protein that is processed by proteolysis to its shorter active peptide form. Specific parts of the brain such as the supraoptic nucleus produce oxytocin which acts on cells in locations such as the ventral pallidum to produce the behavioral effects of oxytocin. A large amount of oxytocin is made in the hypothalamus, transported to the posterior lobe of the pituitary and released into the blood stream by which it reaches target tissues such as the mammary glands (milk letdown). In the diagram inset, oxytocin is shown bound to a carrier protein, neurophysin.
• Other examples of neurochemicals
  • Glutamate is the most common neurotransmitter. Most neurons secrete with glutamate or GABA. Glutamate is excitatory, meaning that the release of glutamate by one cell usually causes adjacent cells to fire an action potential. (Note: Glutamate is chemically identical to the MSG commonly used to flavor Chinese food.)
  • GABA is an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
  • Dopamine is another example of a neurotransmitter. It plays a key role in the functioning of the limbic system, which is involved in emotional function and control.
  • Serotonin plays a regulatory role in mood, sleep, and other areas.
  • Acetylcholine assists motor function.
  • Nitric oxide functions as a neurotransmitter, despite being a gas. It is not grouped with the other neurotransmitters because it is not released in the same way.

Illustration of the oxytocin neuropeptide. ... Illustration of the oxytocin neuropeptide. ... Oxytocin should not be confused with oxycodone hydrochloride whose trade name is OxyContin. ... Magnocellular neurosecretory cells are cells within the supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus. ... Proteases (proteinases, peptidases, or proteolytic enzymes) are enzymes that break peptide bonds between amino acids of proteins. ... Peptides (from the Greek πεπτος, digestible), are the family of short molecules formed from the linking, in a defined order, of various α-amino acids. ... Human brain image constructed from MRI data // Brain (neural tube) Brainstem (rhombencephalon),(mesencephalon) Rhombencephalon (hindbrain) Metencephalon pons fourth ventricle cerebellum cerebellar vermis cerebellar hemispheres anterior lobe posterior lobe flocculonodular lobe cerebellar nuclei fastigial nucleus globose nucleus emboliform nucleus dentate nucleus Myelencephalon medulla oblongata medullary pyramids Mesencephalon (midbrain) tectum inferior colliculi... The supraoptic nucleus (SON) is a nucleus of magnocellular neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus of the mammalian brain. ... The hypothalamus (from Greek ὑποθαλαμος = under the thalamus) is a region of the mammalian brain located below the thalamus, forming the major portion of the ventral region of the diencephalon and functioning to regulate certain metabolic processes and other autonomic activities. ... Cross section of the breast of a human female. ... Breastfeeding an infant Symbol for breastfeeding (Matt Daigle, Mothering magazine contest winner 2006) Breastfeeding is the process of a woman feeding an infant or young child with milk from her breasts. ... Glutamate is the anion of glutamic acid. ... A. A schematic view of an idealized action potential illustrates its various phases as the action potential passes a point on a cell membrane. ... Gaba may refer to: Gabâ or gabaa (Philippines), the concept of negative karma of the Cebuano people GABA, the gamma-amino-butyric acid neurotransmitter GABA receptor, in biology, receptors with GABA as their endogenous ligand Gaba 1 to 1, an English conversational school in Japan Marianne Gaba, a US model... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The limbic system within the brain. ... Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract. ... The chemical compound acetylcholine, often abbreviated as ACh, was the first neurotransmitter to be identified. ... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ...

See also

• Neuroendocrinology
• Neuroplasticity or Synaptic plasticity

Neuroendocrinology is the study of the interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system. ... Refers to the ability of the brain to physically change in response to stimulus and activity. ... In neuroscience, synaptic plasticity is the ability of the connection, or synapse, between two neurons to change in strength. ...

References

1. ^ Siegel, George J.; Albers, R.W., Brady, S.T., Price, D.L. (2006). Basic Biochemistry, 7th Ed.. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-088397-X. 

External links

• Basic Neurochemistry online, searchable textbook.
• American Society for Neurochemistry