Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
09:33
An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins
Published on: June 26, 2018
8.0K
A Life of Neurotransmitters
1Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205;
Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
|August 3, 2016
Summary
Scientific creativity flourishes with strong mentorship. This reflection highlights a transformative research training experience and a fulfilling fifty-year career discovering novel messenger molecules.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mentorship is crucial for developing scientific creativity and fostering research careers.
- A transformative two-year research training period significantly impacted the author's scientific development.
Discussion:
- Mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows has been a mutually nurturing experience.
- The lab's fifty-year research program has explored neurotransmitters and related substances.
- Focus on the discovery and characterization of novel messenger molecules.
Key Insights:
- The profound impact of mentorship on scientific career trajectories.
- The long-term success of a research lab focused on neurotransmitter discovery.
- The reciprocal benefits of mentoring in scientific training.
Outlook:
- Continued exploration of novel messenger molecules and their roles.
- The enduring value of a career dedicated to scientific discovery.
- The importance of nurturing the next generation of scientists.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action
3.8K
Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
3.8K
01:29Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters
14.4K
When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of...
14.4K
01:31Neurotransmitters
3.2K
Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers within the nervous system, facilitating the communication between neurons. These chemical messengers, varying in function and effect, are critical for sustaining various aspects of neurological health and emotional well-being.
3.2K
01:30Neurotransmitters
7.1K
Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...
7.1K
01:29Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
2.4K
Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase,...
2.4K
01:30Classification of Neurotransmitters
5.8K
Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...
5.8K