neurotransmitter

American  

[noor-oh-trans-mit-er, -tranz-, nyoor-] / 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.

---

neurotransmitter British  

/ ˌnjʊərəʊtrænzˈmɪtə /

noun

1. a chemical by which a nerve cell communicates with another nerve cell or with a muscle

---

neurotransmitter Scientific  

/ nr′ō-trănz′mĭt-ər /

1. 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.

---

neurotransmitter Cultural  

1. 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.

---

Discover More

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

Etymology

Origin of neurotransmitter

First recorded in 1960–65; neuro- + transmitter

Example Sentences

Those nerve fibers release norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that binds to the fibroblasts and causes a spike in calcium levels inside the cells.

From Science Daily

Scientists have identified at least 14 different receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter serotonin.

From Science Daily

Actually winning releases serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with stabilized mood and feelings of calmness.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The same kinds of interactions we discovered are used in neurotransmitter receptors and hormone signaling."

From Science Daily

Brain analysis revealed that flavanols boosted neurotransmitter activity in multiple regions.

From Science Daily