Abstract
In the central nervous system (CNS), monoaminergic transmitters act on both neurons and glial cells, affecting energy metabolism, turnover of transmitter-related amino acids, potassium homeostasis, and/or calcium signaling. The typical glial cell of the brain cortex is the astrocyte. In the brain, monoaminergic transmitters are released mainly from noradrenergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic fibers, extending from the brainstem over the entire cerebrum and cerebellum. The transmitters released from neurons, show effects on glial cells, especially on astrocytes, and represent a neuronal-astrocytic interaction. Functional alterations induced in astrocytes, in turn, affect mainly energy metabolism, glutamatergic, or GABAergic impulse transmission, and potassium homeostasis. The chapter discusses the effects of monoamines on astrocytic metabolism, on turnover of glutamate and its precursors and metabolites, and on ion homeostasis. Normal functional interactions are described and effects by drugs that interact with binding sites for monoaminergic transmitters are also included. Few examples are given of pathological conditions where monoaminergic dysfunction appears to play a major role. Thereafter, some of the possible mechanisms by which these compounds affect cell function are also discussed.
Published Version
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