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A 19-year-old male asked:
can a neurotransmitter also be a neuromodulator? i want to know if medications that supposedly only affect one could affect multiple neurotransmitters
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bennett Machanicanswered
Neurology 52 years experience
YOU BET IT CAN: Generally, we have both excitatory (glutamate, glycine) and inhibitory neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, norepinephrine, seratonin, dopamine). However, each transmitter affects both types of receptors, and glutamate for example is ionotrophic (NMDA, AMPA, Kainate) and metabotrophic (numerous). Simply to maintain balance & homeostasis, and adjust or modulate signals, like a computer circuit.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 31-year-old member asked:
Do neurotransmitter levels return to normal after getting over depression?
1 doctor answer • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Steven Reidbordanswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Levels not abnormal: Many people don't realize there is no documented "chemical imbalance" in depression — no measurable differences in neurotransmitter levels in depressed vs nondepressed subjects. That's why there's no blood test for depression. What we do know is that antidepressants change the levels of neurotransmitters, and this is associated with beneficial effects. The effect ends when the meds are stopped.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
How can you figure out which neurotransmitter your body is low in?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Glen Elliottanswered
Child Psychiatry 43 years experience
Not possible.: That idea of low and high neurotransmitter levels as a cause of mental disorders is appealing but not precise. Direct measures of brain neurotransmitter levels is impossible with existing technology and probably wouldn't help much in diagnosis & treatment if available.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Is there a method to measure different neurotransmitter levels in the brain?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Chad Boomershineanswered
Rheumatology 19 years experience
Not in the clinic: There are no tests available to measure brain neurotransmitter levels in the clinic. Researchers sometimes collect spinal fluid by a spinal tap, but this does not necessarily measure brain levels and it is not available to clinicians. There are some imaging tests that can give approximate numbers, but these are research studies and not used in clinical medicine.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Does the neurotransmitter dopamine have something to do with creativity?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Pamela Pappasanswered
Psychiatry 42 years experience
Not specifically: Creativity is not from a single neurotransmitter, but is a complicated process involving a whole person and his/her entire brain. For instance, when we're very anxious, our creativity suffers because our alarm system amygdala is in charge -- we're just trying to survive. When we can relax, we see more possibilities, & find creative solutions. Our prefrontal cortex -- & more -- activate!
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Is it possible to be allergic to your own neurotransmitters?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Gary Stevenanswered
Pediatric Allergy and Asthma 30 years experience
No: With rare exception, the immune system can only make antibodies to large proteins. Neurotransmitters are small, non protein molecules and cannot elicit an antibody response.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Apr 7, 2018
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