Neurotransmitters, Drugs and Brain Function

This book aims to cover the role of neurotransmitters, the substances released form neurons to act on neurons. It covers what they do, how they do it and how their activity is involved in brain function and affected by drugs and disease. The contents include: An overview of neurotransmitter function including their release, effects on neuronal excitability and receptor interaction Detailed description of the synaptic physiology, pharmacology and possible brain function of each neurotransmitter with particular emphasis on acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, noradrenaline, dopamine, 5 hydroxytryptamine and the peptides, purines, histamine, steroids and nitric oxide An evaluation on how the different neurotransmitters may be involved in the initiation and maintenance of certain brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and dementia A review of neurotransmitters in sleep and consciousness and in the social problems of drugs and abuse Neurotransmitters, Drugs and Brain Function provides insights that will prove invaluable to students and researchers involved in pharmacology, neuroscience, medicine and psychology.