How Do Neurotransmitters Affect Health?
NeuroScience, Inc., by virtue of its name, has its foundations built on understanding the nervous system. It's understanding of the nervous system has led them to a point where, from a biochemical point of view, they must further consider the role hormones, cytokines, and neurotransmitters play, not as the messengers of individual systems, but rather as parts of a much larger picture. Their goal is to embrace a more global perspective on health that incorporates facets of immunology, endocrinology, and, of course, neurology. This newly emerging field has been defined as “neuroimmunology” and it forces them to rethink their approach to health and disease. Their adoption of the principles of neuroimmunology have resulted in an expanded menu of laboratory services that now include a wide spectrum of neurological, endocrinological, and immunological markers. This is an article from their site www.neuroscienceinc.com
Each neurotransmitter can be classified as either excitatory or inhibitory and each has specific functions in the body and potential roles relative to the understanding of certain diseases or symptoms. Let’s start with the inhibitory neurotransmitters, GABA, serotonin, glycine and taurine: GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Considered the body’s natural tranquilizer, GABA’s function is to regulate the output of excitatory neurotransmission. Elevated GABA is often observed in response to elevated excitatory activity. High GABA levels, in the presence of high excitatory activity, are associated with sleep issues, nervousness, anxiousness, panic attacks, irritability, hyperactivity, restlessness, low impulse control and seizures. Very low GABA levels may occur as a result of prolonged GABA depletion. High GABA activity without concurrent excitatory elevation results in reduced inhibition and sleepiness. GABA agonists include allopregnanolone, barbiturates, and alcohol. Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and plays a pivotal role in maintaining a balance between the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Serotonin neurons innervate many regions of the brain; as such this transmitter influences many of the body’s processes. Low serotonin levels have been associated with a number of symptoms, including low mood, uncontrolled appetite,headaches, GI distress, anxiousness, irritability, sleep issues, chronic fatigue, premenstrual complaints, impulsivity, hypoglycemia, and insulin resistance. Excessive serotonin levels are somewhat uncommon, but have been observed in children with neurological issues and in patients with serotonin syndrome as a result of medication excess. Glycine is an inhibitory amino acid that regulates excitatory neurotransmission primarily in the brain stem and spinal cord, much in the same way as GABA. Low urinary glycine levels have been noted in patients with low mood, while elevations are observed in response to high excitatory activity. Taurine is an inhibitory amino acid that also regulates excitatory neurotransmission. Taurine is important in preventing the harmful effects of excess glutamate as well as maintaining fluid balance. Optimal taurine levels are important for healthy sleep and promoting calmness. Now let’s review some of the excitatory neurotransmitters: Glutamate is the body’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter. It is responsible for the majority of neurotransmission in the brain and is necessary for learning and memory. Excessive amounts of glutamate are associated with obsessive tendencies, headaches, low mood, developmental delays and excitotoxicity. Low levels are associated with fatigue and inborn errors of amino acid metabolism. Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenalin, is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for most of the activity within the sympathetic nervous system. Norepinephrine neurons are most active during the awake state and are important for focused attention and memory. High levels are linked to feelings of aggression, anxiousness, emotional lability, mania, high blood pressure, immune suppression, stress and hyperactivity.
Low levels are linked to lack of energy, focus, and motivation as well as poor memory, low mood, and fatigue.Epinephrine, also known as adrenalin, is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is important for energy, and mental focus. Low levels can result in fatigue, lack of focus, and difficulty losing weight. High levels are observed in patients experiencing sleeping problems, anxiousness and high blood pressure. Hyperactivity can be seen with both high and low levels of epinephrine. Low epinephrine and norepinephrine can be indicators of adrenal stress and subsequent adrenal insufficiency. Phenylethylamine, or PEA, is an excitatory neurotransmitter. Studies on PEA have found that it promotes energy and elevates mood. It is a lipid-soluble molecule that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Low levels are associated with fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, attention issues, and developmental delays. Research suggests that patients with low mood may have decreased PEA levels, while levels are increased in psychopathic subjects. Excessive levels have been linked to mental stress and sleep difficulties. High levels have also been implicated in headaches and the antidepressant effects of exercise. Histamine is another excitatory neurotransmitter that serves a pacemaker like function within the brain. The firing rates of histamine neurons correlate with the body’s day and night rhythms. Research suggests that histamine also serves as a modulator of epinephrine and norepinephrine. High levels are associated with restlessness, stress, serotonin depletion, cigarette use, and active allergies or swelling. Low levels are associated with fatigue, low mood, antihistamine use, and l-dopa therapy. Aspartic Acid is an excitatory amino acid synthesized from glutamate. Significantly elevated levels of this amino acid can be excitotoxic to neurons. Low levels have been linked to fatigue, whereas high levels have been seen to induce seizures in animals. Dopamine can be considered either an inhibitory or excitatory neurotransmitter, depending on the receptors located in various areas of the brain. Dopamine neurons extend into regions of the brain which control movement, memory, and addiction. Low dopamine is associated with attention difficulties, hyperactivity, memory deficits, poor fine motor control and cravings. High dopamine has been observed in patients with paranoia, high blood pressure, short-term memory problems and poor GI function. There are also dysfunctions in the dopamine system with developmental delay and addictions, which may manifest in either high or low levels of dopamine. Other neurotransmitter modulators include agmatine and glutamine. Agmatine is metabolite of arginine. Various studies suggest this polyamine meets the criteria for a neurotransmitter in the brain and acts as a glutamate receptor antagonist, thus potentially reducing the harmful effects of excessive glutamate. Low agmatine levels may be associated with low mood, anxiousness, and stress. Lastly, glutamine is an amino acid; however it does not meet the criteria of a true neurotransmitter. Instead, it serves as the precursor to glutamate and GABA. Optimal glutamine levels are important for the production of these two important neurotransmitters, as well as for intestinal function and repair. Significantly elevated glutamine levels are thought to be an indicator of an inhibitory/ excitatory imbalance in the nervous system.
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