Neurotransmitter

The communication process between neurons is distinct from that of general tissues, involving highly specialized connections. A single neuron terminal can form thousands to tens of thousands of synaptic connections, typically between dendrites and axons. When an electrical nerve impulse reaches the synaptic terminal, it cannot continue across the synaptic gap due to its physical separation. Instead, the signal is transmitted through specialized chemical substances known as neurotransmitters.

These neurotransmitters are usually synthesized at the axon terminal and stored in vesicles. Upon nerve stimulation or the influence of certain drugs, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft and bind to postsynaptic receptors. This binding transmits the signal to the next cell, producing either excitatory or inhibitory effects. After their action, neurotransmitters are either reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron for reuse (reuptake), diffuse away, or are inactivated by enzymatic degradation.

Emotional, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms associated with mental disorders may include
Sadness and low mood	Confused thinking
Excessive panic or anxiety	Social Withdrawal or Avoiding Social Activities
Sleep disturbances	Delusions or Hallucinations
Difficulty Coping with Daily Stress or Problems	Alcohol or Substance abuse
Significant changes in eating habits	Changes in sexual desire
Excessive anger	Hostility or violent behavior

Mental health-related disorders include
Depression	Bipolar disease
Schizophrenia	Anxiety
Sleep disturbances	ADHD
OCD	Anorexia
Suicide

The important information provided by Neurotransmitter-META^® is as follows

• Assessing the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters The analysis helps evaluate potential imbalances between excitatory neurotransmitters—such as dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and glutamate—and inhibitory neurotransmitters—such as serotonin and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). It also examines related metabolites, including HVA, VMA, and 5-HIAA, to determine overall neurotransmitter regulation.
• Evaluating dopamine levels and associated disease risks Low dopamine is associated with depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, fatigue, Parkinson’s disease, and ADHD. Excess dopamine may be linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mania, ADHD, and schizophrenia.
• Evaluating catecholamine metabolism and related disease risks Low levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine are associated with depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and fatigue. Elevated levels are linked to hypertension, headaches, muscle pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, decreased immune function, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and adrenal dysfunction.
• Evaluating serotonin levels and associated disease risks Serotonin deficiency is associated with depression, fatigue, insomnia, suicidal tendencies, ADHD, and behavioral disorders. Excess serotonin is related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, depression, developmental delays, and osteoporosis.
• Evaluating glutamate levels and associated disease risks Low glutamate levels are associated with muscle weakness, depression, hyperammonemia, and impaired gut function. Elevated glutamate may be related to food intolerances and acid-base imbalances.
• Evaluating GABA levels and associated disease risks GABA deficiency is linked to depression and Huntington’s disease, while excessive GABA may be associated with language development disorders and autism spectrum disorders.
• Neuroendocrine hormone analysis This analysis helps physicians understand how neurotransmitter imbalances—whether deficiencies or excesses—may be related to amino acid status and nutritional factors, supporting targeted therapeutic strategies.