Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators involved in learning and memory

Abstract

Learning and memory being highly specialized process of human brain involves complex interaction between neurotransmitters and cellular events. Over the years, the understandings of these processes have been evolving from psychological, neurophysiological, and pharmacological perspectives. The most widely appraised model of learning and memory involves attention, acquisition, storage and retrieval. Each of these events involve interplay of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, N-methyl-d-aspartic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, though preponderance of specific neurotransmitter have been documented. The formation of long-term memory involves cellular events with neuroplasticity. Further, dopamine is documented to play crucial role in the process of forgetting. Understanding of the processes of learning and memory not only facilitates drug discovery, but also helps to understand actions of several existing drugs. In addition, it would also help to enhance psychological interventions in children with learning disabilities. Thus, the review intends to summarize role of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators during different phases of learning and memory.

Transcriptomics and biochemical evidence of trigonelline ameliorating learning and memory decline in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and elevating neurotransmitter release

“…Neurotransmitter is the major signaling molecule secreted by a neuron to communicate with other cells across a synapse to facilitate learning and memory function in the hippocampus [ 39 , 40 ]. We investigated the role of TG in modulating neurotransmitters in SAMP8 mice hippocampus.…”

Influence of Dietary Nutrient Intake on Episodic Memory Across the Adult Life Span

“…The total intake of protein and fat influenced recollection accuracy. The effect of proteins on memory could be explained by the fact that proteins consist of long chains of amino acids that are divided up during digestion, and some of these amino acids are precursors of neurotransmitters involved in memory ( Bairy and Kumar, 2019 ). In particular, the amino acid glutamine is a precursor of glutamate, and the amino acids phenylalanine and thyrosine are precursors of dopamine, which in turn is a substrate of norepinephrine ( Fernstrom, 1994 ).…”

Cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular function in adults

“…Finally, soy proteins acutely increased CBF after consumption of isolated soy proteins (8 g), which may be due to beneficial effects on neurotransmission (130) and NO metabolism (131). Neurotransmitter systems are involved in brain functions, such as learning and memory processes (132), while NO is an important intercellular messenger in cerebral and peripheral hemodynamics (133). In Chapter 6, we concluded that the function of the regions with increased CBF may be related to the psychomotor speed domain, suggesting a potential mechanism by which an increased intake of soy rich foods beneficially affects cognitive performance in older males and females.…”