Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay
Alzheimer ‘s disease is the most common type of dementedness, which affects about 26.6 million people worldwide ; occur normally over 65 old ages of age. ( 14 ) It is a chronic and incurable encephalon upset, affecting the impairment of memory which causes the sick persons holding job with acquisition, memory, and communicating. ( 1 ) ( 7 ) The chief cause of Alzheimer ‘s disease is due to the lack of an of import neurotransmitter responsible for memory and thought in the encephalon, called acetylcholine. Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay. The production of acetylcholine is triggered by choline acetyltransferase enzyme. However, this enzyme depletes during aged and hence, causes the degrees of acetylcholine productions to deteriorate. ( 8 ) On the other manus, there are two katabolic enzymes that metabolize the acetylcholine left in the cleft, which are acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. ( 9 ) ( ) These two enzymes will farther cut downing the sum of acetylcholine nowadays in the encephalon. Hence, what are the best medicines to handle this disease?
Figure 1 Healthy encephalon compared to Alzheimer ‘s disease encephalon
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Possible solutions
Cholinesterase inhibitors drugs
The purpose of pharmacotherapy of utilizing cholinesterase inhibitor drugs are to cut down the return of symptoms and embellish patients ‘ memory and knowledge can be achieved in alzheimer ‘s patients. ( 10 ) ( 14 ) ( 18 ) There are four types of sanctioned drugs ; donepezil ( Aricept ) , galantamine ( Razadyne ) , rivastigmine ( Exelon ) , and tacrine ( Cognex ) , best operation in handling mild to chair phases of dementedness. ( 1 ) ( 2 ) They alter the natural class of dementedness by efficaciously on maintaining the degree of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft high by prevent its dislocation and elevates its production, as they inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes that metabolized the neurotransmitter. ( 3 ) ( 5 )
Figure 2 shows how Cholinesterase inhibitors inhibit the action of cholinesterase enzyme to rectify the shortage degree of acetylcholine in the encephalon. ( 4 )
Cholinesterase inhibitors are give similar benefits but do differ in the actions of mechanism and inauspicious side effects. ( 11 ) For case, donepezil and galantamine have high selective for acetylcholinesterase than for butyrylcholinesterase, whereas rivastigmine inhibits both enzymes with similar affinity. ( 17 ) In figure 3, it is clearly observed that rivastigmine is chemically similar in construction with acetylcholine. Theoretically, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes will adhere to the rivastigmine and metabolized it alternatively of acetylcholine. ( 24 ) Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.
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figure 3 the chemical constructions of inhibitors ( 24 )
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These medicines might hold different effects on different persons and physicians will urge patients to seek different drugs until meet the most effectives 1s. ( 16 ) ( 1 ) .
However, sometimes the production of acetylcholine will diminish with the patterned advance of the disease, and therefore ensuing the inhibitors to be no longer operative. ( 20 ) Therefore, memantine will be introduced to modulate the activity of glutamate neurotransmitter. Excess glutamate cause harm on the encephalon ‘s nerve cells that contributes to Alzheimer ‘s disease. ( 2 ) ( 11 ) ( 13 ) Cholinesterase inhibitor drugs and memantine are taken at the same time to give better effects in moderate to terrible phases of Alzheimer ‘s. ( 6 ) ( 19 )
Figure 7 patients received combination drugs of memantine and donepezil shows betterment above the baseline.
Evidence of Effectiveness
Figure 4 comparing of effectivity of donepezil, placebo and vitamin Tocopherol on the rate of patterned advance of Alzheimer ‘s disease
To mensurate the best possible intervention on the rate of patterned advance of Alzheimer ‘s disease, a three old ages, double-blind, placebo-controlled survey of 769 patients was carried out. In figure 4 below, with donepezil intervention in the three old ages study, a noteworthy worsening of Alzheimer ‘s disease patterned advance is important at 6 months, ( P=0.004 ) and 12 months ( P=0.04 ) compared with placebo. Vitamin E did non demo any pronounced betterment. At the terminal of the three-year test period, effectiveness rate of placebo, donepezil, or vitamin Tocopherol interventions remained constant. ( 19 ) . In decision, donepezil brings positive consequences on handling Alzheimer ‘s disease.
The strong groundss of clinical benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors drugs in footings on knowledge, map and planetary alteration is illustrated on the graph 5 below. ( 19 )
Figure 5 clinical benefits of cholinesterase inhibitor drugs.
Observation of betterments in knowledge map were tested in a annual, double-blind, placebo-controlled survey of donepezil in 286 patients. Lower MMSE tonss indicate the presence and likeliness of cognitive damage. ( 22 ) ( 23 ) . Harmonizing to the graph, placebo remained lessenings under the base line whereas for donepezil group, the MMSE tonss remained at or shut to baseline degrees throughout the survey. This consequence indicates donepezil Foster higher betterment on cognitive maps compared to placebo.
In add-on, a five-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled survey of galantamine ( 8, 16, or 24 mg/d ) was carried out in 978 patients to detect the drugs ‘ effectivity on map. ( 19 ) Graph 5 demonstrate entire tonss invariably diminutions under the base line in Alzheimer ‘s Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living ( ADCS-ADL ) when treated with 8 mg/d and 24 mg/d of galantamine versus placebo ( 19 ) . Meanwhile, patients treated with galantamine 16 mg/d displayed a little betterment on the tonss ( line graph above the baseline ) on month 3rd. ( 19 )
In the footings of positive alterations of cholinesterase inhibitors on planetary, a 26-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled test of rivastigmine ( 1 to 4 milligrams or 6 to 12 milligram ) survey in 699 patients was examined. Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.( 19 ) Patients having rivastigmine at 6 to 12 mg/d showed significantly less impairment on the Clinician Interview-Based Impression of Change Plus Caregiver Input ( CIBIC-Plus ) compared with those having placebo. ( 19 )
Benefits and hazards
The promotion of cholinesterase drugs innovations on handling Alzheimer ‘s disease had challenge the traditional positions that encephalon upsets are untreatable. ( ) These drugs are proven to be effectual on bettering the patients ‘ mental maps which will heighten their quality of life. Person who takes the drugs right as instructed by the physician, they will demo good public presentation on the capacity to map by their ain which this will non merely benefits on the patients ain egos to go more independent, but besides cut downing the health professionals load and making a healthy societal relationships or environments.
Overall, ChEI therapy is efficacious compared with placebo and the curative benefit is 9 % over that of placebo, say research workers led by Krista Lanct & A ; ocirc ; T, PhD, and Nathan Herrmann, MD, of Sunnybrook and Women ‘s College Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario. ( 31 )
On the other manus, due to the ability of this medicine on detaining or forestalling the outgrowth of alzheimer ‘s disease symptoms, therefore, the incidence of the disease will besides drop and gives immense benefits towards the patients and besides to society as whole. As in figure, in 1997, there are about 2 1000000s of US occupants with AD and the figure is expected to increase into 9 1000000s of people. However, if we are able to detain the oncoming of the disease, the figure of patients with AD can be decrease into half.
However, based on the surveies on the clip class of cognitive maps after taking a peculiar type of drug, this medicine will merely shows enormous betterments about three months after it is first prescribed. After that period, the mental maps get downing to deteriorate back to their starting points. The symptoms continue to decline if the drug is taken continuously but at a rate which is more slower compared to those who do non taking the drug. ( 32 ) But, this jobs may be overcome by exchanging to other type of cholinesterase inhibitor drugs under doctor ‘s advices or by uniting them with memantine in moderate to terrible phase for a more effectual effects. Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.
Furthermore, interventions from these drugs will develop inauspicious side effects including sickness, purging, diarrhoea, abdominal hurting, and weariness and weight loss which affect their life activities due to trouble conditions. However, the incidence can be diminished by originating intervention with low dosage and increase the doses easy. ( 33 )
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Alternate interventions
Herbal medical specialties
Ginkgo biloba
The infusions of gingko biloba foliages are the chief therapy for alzheimer ‘s disease and it is invariably ranks as the best merchandising herbal medicines in Europe and United provinces. Based from clinical surveies, gingko promotes positive effects on bettering cognitive maps, societal interactions, patterned advance of day-to-day activities and benefits on temper where it able to cut down depression on patients. Additionally, some research workers had found that ginkgo biloba consequences in similar effectivity as prescription Alzheimer ‘s drugs in detaining or cut downing symptoms returns, with minimum side effects. It is proven to work best on heightening blood flow in the encephalon and works straight on forestalling nervus cells amendss in encephalon which associated to alzheimer ‘s disease. Ginko infusions are believed to incorporate antioxidant chemicals ; flavonoids and terpenoids which able to neutralize free groups inside the organic structure and intensify the blood flow into the encephalon and other parts of the organic structure. Free groups are the compounds implicated in aging procedure which initiates the damaging of cell membranes and lending to dementia. On the other manus, this addendum is besides able to increase the handiness of acetylcholine neurotransmitter due to its affect on blood flows. Ginkgo is normally added fruit smoothies, nutrition bars and soft drinks to hike the cognitive public presentation where the most effectual dose needed is equal to or more than 240 mg each twenty-four hours. Sing to the Medical Research Council of Newcastle General Hospital ( 1999 ) , the gingkolides in Ginkgo Biloba contain activities pertinent to the disease mechanisms in Alzheimer ‘s such as antioxidant, neuroprotective and cholinergic activities. ( ) hypertext transfer protocol: //www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/herbs-alzheimers-disease.html
Huperzine A
Moss infusion found in Huperzia serrata called Huperzine A has been introduced as an alternate herbal medical specialty on handling alzheimer ‘s as it exerts similar belongingss and effectivity as the cholinesterase inhibitor drugs. The benefit of utilizing this addendum is it provokes less negative side effects compared to the man-made drugs used. In a clinical test, 58 % alzheimer ‘s patients showed important better public presentation in mental and behavorial map after taking 200 microgram of huperzine A addendum compared to those responded to placebo. The lone side consequence occur is mild giddiness which experienced by a little figure of patients. Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay. The herbs work by suppressing the metabolization of acetylcholine, leting higher handiness for encephalon maps particularly in memory.
Furthermore, if the whole herb is consumed, it is non possible for the consumers to derive sufficient measures of huperzine Angstrom from where it is derived.
Deductions
economic
‘NICE ab initio recommended that cholinesterase inhibitors no longer be used, but concluding counsel restricted intervention to patients with disease of a reasonably terrible phase. This determination was based mostly on consequences from a to a great extent criticised economic rating that used an version of the Assessment of Health Economics in Alzheimer ‘s Disease ( AHEAD ) theoretical account ‘ . ( 27 )
Cholinesterase inhibitors drugs are proven to be effectual on handling Alzheimer’s diseases disease, but nevertheless, on recent research ; they are peculiarly non be effectual and give a heavy economic load on society. ( 29 ) The uninterrupted usage of these drugs in the hereafter has been issued sing the possible additions in the direct and indirect costs of attention which contributes to immense fiscal jobs towards the sick persons. ( 30 ) .
Besides that, due to some side effects experienced while ordering these medicines, patients are at higher hazard of being hospitalized for other medical attentions. In add-on, in instances of handling common comorbidities, the cost needed to handle dementedness ‘s sick persons is more expensive compared with non-demented patients. This is because, patients with alzheimer ‘s are less able in take parting for their ain attention or following physicians ‘ instructions. Hence, they will necessitate more regular doctor visits.
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societal
Peoples with alzheimer ‘s disease are deficiency of consciousness on their jobs of holding the disease. They refused to undergo diagnosing or acquire interventions until they are badly sick which at this phase ; cholinesterase inhibitors drugs are no longer to be effectual. Finally, when the disease progressed and gets worsen, serious societal deductions will happen as sick persons ‘ abilities on independence will deteriorate and unbearable. The progressive nature of Alzheimer ‘s applied negative impacts on physical and emotional demands on health professionals. ( 34 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/467545
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Neurotransmitters are substances which neurons use to communicate with one another and with their target tissues in the process of synaptic transmission (neurotransmission). Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.
Neurotransmitters are synthetized in and released from nerve endings into the synaptic cleft. From there, neurotransmitters bind to receptor proteins in the cellular membrane of the target tissue. The target tissue gets excited, inhibited, or functionally modified in some other way.
There are more than 40 neurotransmitters in the human nervous system; some of the most important are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, serotonin, and histamine.
Excitatory neurotransmitters | Glutamate (Glu) Acetylcholine (ACh) Histamine Dopamine (DA) Norepinephrine (NE); also known as noradrenaline (NAd) Epinephrine (Epi); also known as adrenaline (Ad) |
Inhibitory neurotransmitters | gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) Serotonin (5-HT) Dopamine (DA) |
Neuromodulators | Dopamine (DA) Serotonin (5-HT) Acetylcholine (ACh) Histamine Norepinephrine (NE) |
Neurohormones | Releasing hormones from hypothalamus Oxytocin (Oxt) Vasopressin; also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH) |
In this article, we are going to discuss the mechanism of neurotransmission, the classification of neurotransmitters, and some clinical notes about disorders associated with both excess and shortage of some neurotransmitters.
Neurons communicate with their target tissues at synapses into which they release chemical substances called neurotransmitters (ligands). As this communication is mediated with chemical substances, the process is called chemical neurotransmission and happens within chemical synapses.
Each synapse consists of the:
Inside the terminal bouton of the presynaptic nerve fiber, numerous vesicles that contain neurotransmitters are produced and stored. When the presynaptic membrane is depolarized by an action potential, calcium voltage-gated channels open (found in the membranes of the terminal buttons). This leads to an influx of calcium ions into the terminal bouton, which changes the state of certain membrane proteins in the presynaptic membrane, and results in exocytosis of neurotransmitters from the terminal bouton into the synaptic cleft.
Neurotransmitters are an important part of the nervous system. Learn more about the anatomy of the nervous system with our beginner-friendly quizzes and labeled digrams.
After crossing the synaptic cleft, neurotransmitters bind to their receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. Once the neurotransmitter binds to its receptor, the ligand-gated channels of the postsynaptic membrane either open or close. These ligand-gated channels are ion channels, and their opening or closing alters the permeability of the postsynaptic membrane to calcium, sodium, potassium, and chloride ions.Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay. This leads to a stimulatory or inhibitory response.
Learn more about membrane potentials and action potentials, their phases, and how do we get excitatory or inhibitory responses to action potentials with our study materials.
If a neurotransmitter stimulates the target cell to an action, then it is an excitatory neurotransmitter acting in an excitatory synapse. On the other hand, if it inhibits the target cell, it is an inhibitoryneurotransmitter acting in an inhibitory synapse. So, the type of the synapse and the response of the target tissue depends on the type of neurotransmitter. Excitatory neurotransmitters cause depolarization of the postsynaptic cells and generate an action potential; for example acetylcholine stimulates muscle contraction. Inhibitory synapses cause hyperpolarization of the target cells, leading them farther from the action potential threshold, thus inhibiting their action; for example GABA inhibits involuntary movements.
The neurotransmitter released into the synaptic cleft acts for a very short duration, only minutes or even seconds. It is either destroyed by enzymes, such as acetylcholine esterase, or is reabsorbed into the terminal button of the presynaptic neuron by reuptake mechanisms and then recycled. The best-known neurotransmitters responsible for such fast, but short-lived excitatory action are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine while GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Repeated synaptic activities can have long-lasting effects on the receptor neuron, including structural changes such as the formation of new synapses, alterations in the dendritic tree, or growth of axons. An example of this is the learning process – the more you study and repeat, the more synapses are created in your brain and enable you to retrieve that information when needed. Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.
In case you need to revise the histology of neurons, dive into our additional material:
Besides neurotransmitters, there are other synapse-associated chemical substances called the neuromediators (neuromodulators). Neuromodulation differs to neurotransmission by how long the substance acts on the synapse. Neuromodulators aren’t reabsorbed as quickly by presynaptic neurons or broken down by enzymes. Instead, they spend a significant amount of time in cerebrospinal fluid, influencing (modulating) the activity of several other neurons in the brain. The best known neuromodulators are also neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, and norepinephrine.
Other associated chemical substances include neurohormones. They are synthesized in neurons and secreted into the bloodstream which carries them to distant tissues. The best examples are the hypothalamic releasing hormones oxytocin and vasopressin.
Neurotransmitters can be classified as either excitatory or inhibitory.
Excitatory neurotransmitters function to activate receptors on the postsynaptic membrane and enhance the effects of the action potential, while inhibitory neurotransmitters function to prevent an action potential. In addition to the above classification, neurotransmitters can also be classified based on their chemical structure:
The following are the most clearly understood and most common types of neurotransmitters.
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an excitatory neurotransmitter secreted by motor neurons that innervate muscle cells, basal ganglia, preganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system, and postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
Type | Excitatory in all cases except in the heart (inhibitory) |
Released from | Motor neurons, basal ganglia, preganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system, postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system, and postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system that innervate the sweat glands |
Functions | Regulates the sleep cycle, essential for muscle functioning |
Its main function is to stimulate muscle contraction. However, the only exception to this, where acetylcholine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, is at the parasympathetic endings of the vagus nerve. These inhibit the heart muscle through the cardiac plexus.
It is also found in sensory neurons and in the autonomic nervous system, and has a part in scheduling the “dream state” while an individual is fast asleep. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in the normal functioning of muscles.Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay. For example, poisonous plants like curare and hemlock cause paralysis of muscles by blocking the acetylcholine receptor sites of myocytes (muscle cells). The well-known poison botulin works by preventing vesicles in the terminal bouton from releasing acetylcholine, thus leading to paralysis of the effector muscle.
Norepinephrine (NE), also known as noradrenaline (NAd), is an excitatory neurotransmitter produced by the brainstem, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands and released into the bloodstream. In the brain it increases the level of alertness and wakefulness.
Type | Excitatory |
Released from | Brainstem, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands |
Functions | Increases the level of alertness and wakefulness, stimulates various processes of the body |
In the body, it is secreted by most postganglionic sympathetic nerves. It acts to stimulate the processes in the body. For example, it is very important in the endogenous production of epinephrine. Norepinephrine has been implicated in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, in which case its concentration in the body is abnormally low. Alternatively, an abnormally high concentration of it may lead to an impaired sleep cycle.
Also known as adrenaline (Ad), epinephrine (Epi) is an excitatory neurotransmitter produced by the chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland. It prepares the body for the fight-or-flight response. That means that when a person is highly stimulated (fear, anger etc.), extra amounts of epinephrine are released into the bloodstream.
Type | Excitatory |
Released from | Chromaffin cells of the medulla of adrenal gland |
Functions | The fight-or-flight response (increased heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose production) |
This release of epinephrine increases heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose production from the liver(glycogenolysis). In this way, the nervous and endocrine systems prepare the body for dangerous and extreme situations by increasing nutrient supply to key tissues.Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.
Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter secreted by the neurons of the substantia nigra. It is considered a special type of neurotransmitter because its effects are both excitatory and inhibitory. Which effect depends on the type of receptor that dopamine binds to.
Type | Both excitatory and inhibitory |
Released from | Substantia nigra |
Functions | Inhibits unnecessary movements, inhibits the release of prolactin, and stimulates the secretion of growth hormone |
As a part of the extrapyramidal motor system which involves the basal ganglia, dopamine is important for movement coordination by inhibiting unnecessary movements. In the pituitary gland, it inhibits the release of prolactin, and stimulates the secretion of growth hormone.
Dopamine deficiency related to the destruction of the substantia nigra leads to Parkinson’s disease. Increased activity of dopaminergic neurons contributes to the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders and schizophrenia. Drug and alcohol abuse can temporarily increase dopamine levels in the blood, leading to confusion and the inability to focus. However, an appropriate secretion of dopamine in the bloodstream plays a role in the motivation or desire to complete a task.
gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most powerful inhibitory neurotransmitter produced by the neurons of the spinal cord, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and many areas of the cerebral cortex. It is derived from glutamate.
Type | Inhibitory |
Released from | Neurons of the spinal cord, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and many areas of the cerebral cortex |
Functions | Reduces neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system |
Functions of GABA are closely related to mood and emotions. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts as a brake to excitatory neurotransmitters; thus when it is abnormally low this can lead to anxiety. It is widely distributed in the brain and plays a principal role in reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.
Glutamate (Glu) is the most powerful excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system which ensures homeostasis with the effects of GABA. It is secreted by neurons of the many of the sensory pathways entering the central nervous system, as well as the cerebral cortex.
Type | Excitatory |
Released from | Sensory neurons and cerebral cortex |
Functions | Regulates central nervous system excitability, learning process, memory |
Glutamate is the most common neurotransmitter in the central nervous system; it takes part in the regulation of general excitability of the central nervous system, learning processes, and memory. Thus, inappropriate glutamate neurotransmission contributes to developing epilepsy and cognitive and affective disorders. Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that has been found to be intimately involved in emotion and mood. It is secreted by the neurons of the brainstem and by neurons that innervate the gastrointestinal tract (enteric nervous system). In addition, serotonin is found in platelets (thrombocytes) which release it during coagulation (hemostasis).
Type | Inhibitory |
Released from | Neurons of the brainstem and gastrointestinal tract, thrombocytes |
Functions | Regulates body temperature, perception of pain, emotions, and sleep cycle |
In participates in regulation of body temperature, perception of pain, emotions, and sleep cycle. An insufficient secretion of serotonin may result in decreased immune system function, as well as a range of emotional disorders like depression, anger control problems, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even suicidal tendencies.
Histamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter produced by neurons of the hypothalamus, cells of the stomach mucosa, mast cells, and basophils in the blood. In the central nervous system, it is important for wakefulness, blood pressure, pain, and sexual behavior. In the stomach, it increases the acidity.
Type | Excitatory |
Released from | Hypothalamus, cells of the stomach mucosa, mast cells, and basophils in the blood |
Functions | Regulates wakefulness, blood pressure, pain, and sexual behavior; increases the acidity of the stomach; mediates inflammatory reactions |
It is involved primarily in the inflammatory response, as well as a range of other functions such as vasodilation and regulation of the immune response to foreign bodies. For example, when allergens are introduced into the bloodstream, histamine assists in the fight against these microorganisms causing itching of the skin or irritations of the throat, nose, and or lungs. Deficiency Of An Important Neurotransmitter Essay.