Drugs and the Nervous System

Abstract

Neurones possess a variety of basic processes to ensure chemical neurotransmission. All of these processes provide targets for drug-induced manipulation of the nervous system. (a) Neurones synthesise and store one or more neurotransmitters. (b) Neurones release the neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft in a pulsatile manner in response to impulse flow; but also limit its activity by reuptake into the neurone or by degradation, (c) Neurones regulate their own function through local feedback systems via events occurring in the synaptic cleft or via long loop feedback systems operating through neuronal contacts.