Non‐adrenergic Non‐cholinergic (NANC) Transmission/Mediators

Non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (NANC) transmission/mediators describes a part of the autonomic nervous system which does not use acetylcholine or noradrenaline as transmitters. NANC‐transmitters often function as co‐transmitters, which are released together with acetylcholine or noradrenaline. Substances believed to function as NANC transmitters include ATP, which is found e.g. in postganglionic sympathetic neurons of blood vessels and may contribute to the fast contraction of smooth muscle cells, γ ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin which are found in enteric neurons and are involved in peristaltic reflexes, dopamine, found in some sympathetic neurons (e.g. kidney) and involved in vasodilatation and NO which is released from pelvic or gastric nerves and plays a role in penile erection or gastric emptying. A variety of peptides have also been described to function as NANC transmitters, e.g. neuropeptide Y (postganglionic sympathetic neurons), vasoactive intestinal peptide...