A significant portion of psychological knowledge regarding the specific functions of various neurotransmitters is derived from researching how different psychoactive drugs affect individuals with psychological disorders.

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There are different types of neurotransmitters with different functions in the human body. Some of the major neurotransmitters include:
- Serotonin (Mood & sleep)
- Glutamate (Memory & learning)
- Dopamine (Mood, sleep, & learning)
- Acetylcholine (Muscle action & memory)
- Beta-endorphin (Pain & pleasure)
- Gamma-aminobutyric acide (Brain function & sleep)
- Norepinephrine (Heart, intestines, & alertness)

Major Neurotransmitters

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Major Neurotransmitters and How They Affect Behavior

- Amine Neurotransmitters
- Amino Acid Neurotransmitters
- Peptide Neurotransmitters
- Gas Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitter Families

AMPA receptors are found on the postsynaptic neuron and are activated when glutamate binds to the neuron. AMPA receptors are permeable to sodium ions.

AMPA Receptors

The biological perspective on psychopathology posits that psychological disorders are rooted in faulty biological processes. This viewpoint, which has gained prominence through scientific advances over recent decades, attributes mental illness to factors such as genetics, neurological abnormalities, and hormonal or biochemical imbalances. This perspective drives research into the genetic, neurological, and chemical underpinnings of various psychological conditions.

Biological Perspective of Psychological Disorders

Analyze the following scenario. Based on the primary functions of the chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells, identify the single messenger most likely responsible for the patient's symptoms and explain your reasoning.

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