Page 42 - The Miracle of Electricity in the Body

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CHEMICAL MESSENGERS:
CHEMICAL MESSENGERS:

NEUROTRANSMITTERS
NEUROTRANSMITTERS

eurotransmitters consist of complex organic chemicals, usual-
ly amino acids that enable electrical messages to traverse
N across the synaptic cleft. So far, over 100 different kinds have
been identified. 25
Neurotransmitters are synthesized within the neurons. They are os-
cillated when a neuron becomes activated, triggering a specific process.
Once they complete this process, the gap between two neurons, i.e. the
synaptic cleft is cleared. Observers of this process note that a flawless
26
procedure is followed in the communication between neurons. In the ab-
sence of even a single step involved in the process, or the absence of any
of the required chemicals, a variety of diseases could result.
Chemical messengers consist of two main categories: excitatory and
inhibitory. Excitatory messengers are released during the transmission
of electrical signals between the neuron synapse. One of the chemicals
used most frequently in the message transmission is acetylcholine. This
chemical is vital for learning and memory, and a deficiency of it could
lead to Alzheimer’s or other diseases, colloquially known as 'forgetful-
ness'. Alternatively, its excessive presence or activity could lead to
Parkinson’s disease. Acetylcholine must be available for use at the exact