neurotransmitter

[noo r-oh-trans-mit-er, -tranz-, nyoo r-] /ˌnʊər oʊˈtræns mɪt ər, -ˈtrænz-, ˌnyʊər-/
noun
1.
any of several chemical substances, as epinephrine or acetylcholine, that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse to a postsynaptic element, as another nerve, muscle, or gland.
Origin
1960-65; neuro- + transmitter
Examples from the web for neurotransmitters
  • Most of those drugs work by slowing the uptake of signal-sending chemicals called neurotransmitters.
  • For one thing, the bike uses neurotransmitters to change gears.
  • One way genes affect behaviour is through the agency of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that carry messages between nerve cells.
  • They require lots of energy to produce their voltage spikes and to release neurotransmitters.
  • When the window is open, chemicals called neurotransmitters flow through easily and memory is registered and stored.
  • What's more, their brains experienced changes in neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum.
  • For example, neurotransmitters interacting with receptors at synapses.
  • Chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters help control whether you're awake or asleep.
  • These drugs target neurotransmitters other than or in addition to serotonin, such as norepinephrine.
  • Abnormalities may occur in neurotransmitters, the chemicals that act as messengers between nerve cells.
British Dictionary definitions for neurotransmitters

neurotransmitter

/ˌnjʊərəʊtrænzˈmɪtə/
noun
1.
a chemical by which a nerve cell communicates with another nerve cell or with a muscle
Word Origin and History for neurotransmitters

neurotransmitter

n.

1961, from neuro- + transmitter.

neurotransmitters in Medicine

neurotransmitter neu·ro·trans·mit·ter (nur'ō-trāns'mĭt-ər, -trānz'-, nyur'-)
n.
Any of the various chemical substances, such as acetylcholine, that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse.

neurotransmitters in Science
neurotransmitter
  (nr'ō-trānz'mĭt-ər)   
A chemical substance that is produced and secreted by a neuron and then diffuses across a synapse to cause excitation or inhibition of another neuron. Acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin are examples of neurotransmitters.
neurotransmitters in Culture

neurotransmitter definition


Any one of a number of chemicals that are used to transmit nerve signals across a synapse. They are sprayed from the end of the “upstream” nerve cell and absorbed by receptors in the “downstream” cell.

Note: Drugs like Prozac and alcohol affect the emission and reception of neurotransmitters.