Presynaptic Control of Release of Amine Neurotransmitters by Precursor Levels

Abstract

The amounts of such aminergic neurotransmitters as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine that are released into synapses, spontaneously and when the neurons fire, can be affected by the concentrations of their nutrient precursors tryptophan, tyrosine, and dopamine and can thus be influenced by eating 'real' foods or taking the pure precursors. Simple laws can apparently enable the investigator to predict when precursor levels will or will not have such effects