Monoamine Neurotransmission and Toxicity

Abstract

Monoaminergic system functions are mediated by the action of serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), and histamine (HT) monoamine neurotransmitters (MNs), which regulate vital bodily functions. Monoaminergic neurotransmission disruption leads to toxic effects, which could end in fatal consequences and could be caused by dysfunction of the enzymes that synthesize and metabolize MNs, the transporters that mediate their reuptake, and the receptors that mediate their action. A wide range of compounds were reported to alter the expression and/or activity of the target proteins that regulate monoaminergic neurotransmission, especially drugs, leading to toxic effects. However, the effects of environmental pollutants on the monoaminergic systems have been less studied, especially in the histaminergic system. Otherwise, the monitorization of MN levels and the activity of some of these target proteins that regulate MN systems were shown to be useful as markers of neurotoxicity. This chapter addresses the mechanisms of MN disruption, the toxic effects that these disruptions produce, the main environmental chemicals that mediate these effects, and the remaining information that needs to be collected.