neurotransmitter
[ noo r-oh-trans-mit-er, -tranz-, nyoo r- ]
/ ˌnʊər oʊˈtræns mɪt ər, -ˈtrænz-, ˌnyʊər- /
noun
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.
Origin of neurotransmitter
First recorded in 1960–65;
neuro- +
transmitter
Words nearby neurotransmitter
neurotoxic,
neurotoxicity,
neurotoxicology,
neurotoxin,
neurotransmission,
neurotransmitter,
neurotripsy,
neurotrophic,
neurotrophy,
neurotropic,
neurotropism
Example sentences from the Web for neurotransmitter
Protein stimulates a neurotransmitter in your brain called orexin.
Parkinson's wreaks havoc by affecting nerve cells in the brain that make the neurotransmitter called dopamine.
British Dictionary definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
/ (ˌnjʊərəʊtrænzˈmɪtə) /
noun
a chemical by which a nerve cell communicates with another nerve cell or with a muscle
Medical definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
[ nur′ō-trănz′mĭt-ər, -trăns′- ]
n.
Any of the various chemical substances, such as acetylcholine, that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse.
Scientific definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
[ nur′ō-trănz′mĭt-ər ]
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.
Cultural definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
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.
notes for neurotransmitter
Drugs like Prozac and alcohol affect the emission and reception of neurotransmitters.