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Exitatory neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and glutamate, bind as ligands to ligand-gated channel proteins. Once these neurotransmitters have binded to these transport proteins, the channel opens between the outside and inside of the cell. Once open, sodium (Na+) ions tend to rush into the cell from the outside along with the electrochemical gradient, because these ions want to go from high concentration and positive membrane charge to where there is a lower concentration of Na+ and a more negative membrane charge. This action depolarizes the membrane, meaning the difference in voltage between the inside and the outside of the cell membrane becomes less negative. Depolarization of the cell membrane increases the likelihood of firing an action potential down that neuron, opening calcium (Ca2+) channels in the synaptic terminals, causing an influx of calcium, which causes vesicles filled with neurotransmitters to fuse to the presynaptic membrane, releasing the neurotransmitters into the synapse, starting the whole process over again.

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Inhibitory neurotransmitters prevent or minimize the transmission of nerve impulses to the specific receptor sites upon which they act.

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GABA- gamma aminobutyric acid and Glycine

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Q: What do the excitatory neurotransmitters do?
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Do all excitatory neurotransmitters have the same effect on organs?

no


What are the two excitatory neurotransmitters?

acetylcholine


Is it true that once the effects of a stimulant wear off the driver could quickly fall asleep?

That is true. Most stimulants work by binding to excitatory neurotransmitter receptors (such as the case with amphetamines), inducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters (such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in the case of amphetamines), preventing the breakdown of excitatory neurotransmitters (as in the case of Ritalin, cocaine, etc.), or blocking inhibitory receptors (as in the case of caffeine). When this happens, the brain adjusts by reducing its sensitivity to its own excitatory neurotransmitters...especially in the case of adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and dopamine. So, once the stimulant wears off, the body is not only fatigued again, but is actually MORE sleepy than before...making it very easy to fall asleep.


How do psychoactive drugs affect the brain?

Psychoactive drugs can increase or decrease transmissions to post-synaptic membranes. Excitatory drugs can mimic the action of neurotransmitters or delay the breakdown of neurotransmitters. On the other hand, inhibitory drugs can hyper-polarize the post-synaptic membrane or reduce the effect of excitatory neurotransmitters.


What is the purpose of lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine is thought to act at sodium channels in the neuron (nerve cell) to reduce the amount of excitatory neurotransmitters that the nerve cell releases.

Related questions

What is excitatory messages?

There are two kinds of neurotransmitters - INHIBITORY and EXCITATORY. Excitatory neurotransmitters are not necessarily exciting - they are what stimulate the brain. Those that calm the brain and help create balance are called inhibitory. Inhibitory neurotransmitters balance mood and are easily depleted when the excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive.


Do all excitatory neurotransmitters have the same effect on organs?

no


What are the two excitatory neurotransmitters?

acetylcholine


What happens when neurotransmitters communicate an excitatory message to the postsynaptic neuron?

When neurotransmitters communicate an inhibitory message to the postsynaptic neuron:


Neurotransmitters find their way to and subsequently trigger firing of that neuron?

Excitatory neurotransmitter


Why are Acetylcholine and Norepinephrine common neurotransmitters?

acetylcholine and norepinephrine are both excitatory neurotransmitters Acetylcholine (learning and memory) Nor-epinephrine gets you fired up (flight or flight) and also gets you focused. Drdenisep@aol.com


What is the effect of excitatory psychoactive drugs on the brain?

Excitatory psychoactive drugs such as nicotine and cocaine primarily affect the central nervous system. They increase post-synaptic transmissions and may result in addictions and substance abuse. These stimulants increase the alertness of the user by mimicking the action of neurotransmitters or delaying the breakdown of neurotransmitters. They can also affect the transmission of optical signals in the thalamus of the brain.


Is it true that once the effects of a stimulant wear off the driver could quickly fall asleep?

That is true. Most stimulants work by binding to excitatory neurotransmitter receptors (such as the case with amphetamines), inducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters (such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in the case of amphetamines), preventing the breakdown of excitatory neurotransmitters (as in the case of Ritalin, cocaine, etc.), or blocking inhibitory receptors (as in the case of caffeine). When this happens, the brain adjusts by reducing its sensitivity to its own excitatory neurotransmitters...especially in the case of adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and dopamine. So, once the stimulant wears off, the body is not only fatigued again, but is actually MORE sleepy than before...making it very easy to fall asleep.


How do psychoactive drugs affect the brain?

Psychoactive drugs can increase or decrease transmissions to post-synaptic membranes. Excitatory drugs can mimic the action of neurotransmitters or delay the breakdown of neurotransmitters. On the other hand, inhibitory drugs can hyper-polarize the post-synaptic membrane or reduce the effect of excitatory neurotransmitters.


What is the purpose of lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine is thought to act at sodium channels in the neuron (nerve cell) to reduce the amount of excitatory neurotransmitters that the nerve cell releases.


What neurotransmitters are exclusively inhibitory?

The terms antagonist/agonist only apply to 'exogenous' compounds, namely drugs and toxins, and not neurotransmitters - which are commonly classed according to whether they are excitatory or inhibitory. Examples of a the latter include GABA and glycine.


How can decision-making in the CNS result from the interaction between the activities of excitatory and inhibitory presynaptic neurons at synapses?

During decision-making, information is processed to choose between two or more alternatives. This involves the interaction of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. This process also involves excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. The post-synaptic action potential is determined by the sum of all signals.