In this writing before getting into the bio-chemistry part of the equation of energy and potential and activation, in the Cochlear and its auditory system, along with its particular neurotransmitter systems and areas of the brain, transmitters are released for potential of action or potential of inhibition and lack of activity.  Neurotransmitters are all about a very complex system of balance. The neurotransmitters will only bind to certain post synaptic receptors so they have to match. 

The area in the brain depends on a balance of connection via pathways, called pathologies, to other areas of the brain. It has a delicate balance and modulating excitatory and inhibitory functioning taking place. 

Many disorders are caused by the dysfunction of this balancing function. One brain pathway dysfunction,  disrupts complicated circuits by interfering with the main balance function of both the excitatory and inhibitory synapse or re – uptake or changing the orchestrated activity for action to initiate kinetic movement. So in the CNS (central nervous system) synaptic transmission becomes modulated transmission balanced in excitatory or inhibitory processes.  

Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators play a role in the messaging signals that occur between the neurons. 

Examples: I know you have heard me talk about glutamate or GABBA before.Two amino acid neurotransmitters  are glutamate and gammaminobutyric acid or GABBA are the major transmitters in the Central Nervous System. 

 Long – axon pathways use glutamate which is an excitatory neurotransmitters. 

GABBA is also used in long – axon pathways but is also an inter neuron inhibitory neurotransmitter. 

 Biogenic amines  called imonoamines include catecholemines dopamine and norephinephrine  and the indolamine 5 HT serotonin. 

These neurotransmitters are generally paired with small nuclear groups distributed in the brain, while the cell groups utilizing these neurotransmitters are small,  but their effect is large due to the widespread projection of these neurons. 

3 Acetycholine is used as a neurotransmitter by a few cell groups and some inter neurons in the brain. 

4 Peptides are a large diverse group of molecules that may also act in some cases as hormones. 

Individual peptides may be specifically localized with particular cell groups involved with a specific function. 

Enkephalins and endorphins are peptides that are found in different areas of the brain involved in processing “pain” in the CNS. They are related to well – being feelings. 

5 Other neurotransmitters include histamines (CNS) and epinephrine (PNS). There are 60 or more different neurotransmitters and neuromodulators identified active in the brain pathology to modulate fine balancing activity of our mechanical operations of the homo sapien evolved electromagneticvibrational systems into potential and kinetic action.

Neuroactive compounds inclusive of previously mentioned, influenced by the resting brain membrane, potential can alter the effect of the neurotransmitter from excitatory to inhibitory. 

Neurotransmitters in a synaptic cleft that are not bound for post synaptic receptors, must be “inactivated.” If not inactivated, neurons might continue firing and malfunction which can cause seizures, or the death of neurons. One is to take the neurotransmitter released into the presynaptic terminal via auto – receptors present in the presynaptic membrane. Another is to breakdown the transmitter and resynthesize them into neurotransmitters for future synapses. 

Astrocytes play a active role in removing neuroactive substances which have been released (like glutamate for example). This process for removal,  if glutamate is important,  because extracellular glutamate can be neurotoxic to the mechanical operations from potential to movement. 

 Neurotransmitters and modulators are the chemical messengers to signal potential and movement or activity. This system is dependent on synthesis, release, binding, and inactivation. 

The drug Prozac interferes with the re – uptake of serotonin. Cocaine operates as a serotonergic synapse in the same way Prozac does by prolonging feelings of well being. But they also influence the dopaminergic system causing addiction. When a system is damaged, the balance of excitatory and inhibitory activity are damaged and these webs of pathways which are complex circuits can be damaged. 

The reason we can think, reason, talk, move into action, is because all these synapses are firing where they should and when they should to activate and inactivate neurotransmitters when it needs to occur. 

Vision and hearing have similar sensory systems and both are constructs of the brain and all are the balancing of the sensory neurotransmitters and neuromodulators of the human electromagneticvibrational homo sapien systems. 

I will continue writing about the Auditory system in the next few days.

Written by Carolyn D Hogarth Canada