Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are released from nerve cells, where they travel across a small gap (synapse) to other nerve cells. They play an important role in the communication between neurons and are essential for proper brain and body function – controlling appetite, heart rate, sleep, and other essential biological processes. They are also key players in the development and maintenance of mood, behaviour, and learning. Abnormalities in neurotransmitter levels and function can lead to mental illness, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological disorders. As such, neurotransmitter levels are often evaluated as part of neurological health assessments. Medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics are often used to target neurotransmitters in order to alter their levels and functions, providing a therapeutic effect. Neurotransmitters are critical for normal brain and body functioning and have a range of therapeutic uses in the treatment of neurological disorders.