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Releasing agent: Difference between revisions
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A '''releasing agent''', or simply releaser, is a drug that induces the release of a [[neurotransmitter]] from the presynaptic [[neuron]] into the synapse, leading to a rise in the extracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitter, therefore resulting in increased neurotransmission. Many drugs use neurotransmitter release to exert their psychological and physiological effects, namely the [[amphetamines]] and related compounds. Virtually all currently known releasing agents affect the monoamine neurotransmitters [[serotonin]], [[noradrenaline]], and/or [[dopamine]], and as such, they are often referred to more formally as monoamine releasing agents (MRAs). MRAs may be selective for a particular neurotransmitter or non-selective and affect multiple neurotransmitters. | A '''releasing agent''', or simply releaser, is a drug that induces the release of a [[neurotransmitter]] from the presynaptic [[neuron]] into the synapse, leading to a rise in the extracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitter, therefore resulting in increased neurotransmission. Many drugs use neurotransmitter release to exert their psychological and physiological effects, namely the [[amphetamines]] and related compounds. Virtually all currently known releasing agents affect the monoamine neurotransmitters [[serotonin]], [[noradrenaline]], and/or [[dopamine]], and as such, they are often referred to more formally as monoamine releasing agents (MRAs). MRAs may be selective for a particular neurotransmitter or non-selective and affect multiple neurotransmitters. | ||
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==Neurotoxicity== | ==Neurotoxicity== | ||
Many releasing agents, notably many of those derived from [[amphetamine]], have been found to be neurotoxic to [[serotonin]] and/or [[dopamine]] neurons via damage to axons and dendrites, enzymes, mitochondria, DNA, plasmalemmal and vesicular transporters, and the cell membrane, ultimately causing cell death as a result. | Many releasing agents, notably many of those derived from [[amphetamine]], have been found to be neurotoxic to [[serotonin]] and/or [[dopamine]] neurons via damage to axons and dendrites, enzymes, mitochondria, DNA, plasmalemmal and vesicular transporters, and the cell membrane, ultimately causing cell death as a result.{{citation needed}} | ||
The neurotoxicity of some of these drugs is believed to be caused by oxidative stress induced by the generation of reactive oxygen species or free radicals, highly reactive particles that rip apart proteins and induce chain reactions of destruction. The free radicals are thought to be generated as byproducts when either the base compound or one or more of its metabolites are broken down by the enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) and/or cyclooxygenase (COX). It is thought hyperthermia and concurrent serotonin-dopamine release may also play a major role in augmenting damage. | |||
The neurotoxicity of some of these drugs is believed to be caused by oxidative stress induced by the generation of reactive oxygen species or free radicals, highly reactive particles that rip apart proteins and induce chain reactions of destruction. The free radicals are thought to be generated as byproducts when either the base compound or one or more of its metabolites are broken down by the enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) and/or cyclooxygenase (COX). It is thought hyperthermia and concurrent serotonin-dopamine release may also play a major role in augmenting damage.{{citation needed}} | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||