• most common NT in brain, excitatory
• is toxic in high levels
• synthesis: glutamine to glutamate 
• packaging: VGLUT
• removal: EAAT
• breakdown: enzymes (glutamine synthetase)
• receptors: NMDA, AMPA, kinaite 

• ionotropic, allow sodium, potassium, and calcium to flow in
• NMDA, nAChR, AMPA 

• inhibitory
• synthesis: glucose->glutamate->GABA->packaged by VIAAT->into synapse
• removal by GAT 
• small molecule
• projections: perkinje cells
• relaxation drugs

• small molecule NT
• spinal cord
• synthesis: glucose->serine->glycine
• packaged by VIAAT
• removed by glycine transporters

• norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, histamine, and serotonin
• biogenic amines

• catecholymine
• projects into corpus striatum from substantial nigra
• involved in reward pathway (addiction)
• packaged by VMAT
• removed by DAT
• broken down by MAO and COMT
• receptors: G-protein coupled receptors and receptors on presynaptic neuron

• catecholymine small molecule
• from brain stem into cerebral cortex (everywhere)
• involved in sleep, wakefulness, sympathetic (fight or flight)
• packaging: VMAT
• removal: NET
• broken down by MAO and COMT
• alpha and beta adrenergic receptors (metabotropic) 

• midbrain to thalamus, hypothalamus, and spinal cord
• fight or flight
• packaging: VMAT
• removal: NET
• receptors: alpha and beta adrenergic 

• in brain stem to all of brain
• vasoconstrictor, involved in sleep/wakefulness, circadian rhythms
• packaging: VMAT
• removal: SERT
• breakdown: MAO
• receptors: 5HT₃ 
• involved in satiety, fen-phen (weight loss) kills!

• biogenic amine
• in hypothalamus to everywhere!
• packaging: VMAT
• removal: don't know
• breakdown: histamine methyl transferase
• receptors: H₁ H₂ H₃ 
• involved in allergic reactions and injury

Acetylcholine

• small molecule
• synthesis: acetyl CoA + choline = acetylcholine (by CAT) 
• nerve terminals to everywhere
• packaging: vesicular ACh transporter
• removal: AChE enzyme

• excitatory
• ATP
• Adenosine
• caffeine affects receptors

• peptides
• in the brain and gut
• substance p, CCK, VIP

• peptides
• pain killers (from poppy plant! nom!) 
• leucine enkephaline, alpha endorphin, dynorphin A
• scizophrenia and autism
• leads to addiction

• peptides
• vasopresin (circadian rhythms, used for anti-diabetics)
• oxytocin (uterin contractions)
• ACTH (anorexogenic, decreases appetite)

• TRH, LHRH, Somatostatin, GHRH, CRH

• angiotensin - vasoconstriction, thirst
• neuropeptide Y - arexogenic (decreases metabolism and increases appetite) 
• neurotensin - vasodilator and milk production

• used for relaxation and anti-nausea
• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
• causes the munchies!
• endocannabinoids are NT