Sunil Kumar
Chang Gung University, Taiwan
Title: Neurotransmitters: Chemistry and their role in aging problems
Biography
Biography: Sunil Kumar
Abstract
Neurotransmitters help to communicate and send/receive information all over the human body. From heart rate, blood pressure to fall asleep, these chemical messengers play a vital role. Chemically these are oxytocin, serotonin, GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), glutamate dopamine, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, epinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Aging is an inevitable part of human development, which affects lifestyle in later stages.
Studies on neurobehavioral changes have observed that the concentration of the neurotransmitters in the elderly is altered significantly before the appearance of age related disorders such as Alzheimer Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). For instance, choline acetyltransferase and 5-hydroxytryptamine were fewer in brains of dementia patients. Serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitter loss in the elderly population causes behavioral changes. Imbalances in cholinergic and serotonergic function may be responsible for cognitive impairment in AD.
Identification of neurotransmitters is important for identifying and fighting the aging process and related conditions. This kind of study will be helpful to establish a connection between aging and neurotransmitters. Ultimately, aging related problems can be curtailed by modifying these neurotransmitters.