Recently, discoveries of an astounding number of endogenous substances which affect interneuronal communication, and advances in our understanding of mechanisms by which it is controlled, have created a growing need for a better classification of compounds which are involved in neuronal transmission. In this paper we describe a nomenclature based on the common ability of such neuroactive substances to regulate neuronal communication. We suggest that 'neuroregulator' is a good generic term, since it focuses on the relevant activity. This can be further subdivided according to function. Thus, a 'neurotransmitter' would correspond to the classical concept of a substance which conveys a transient and unilateral signal across a specialized synapse. In contrast, a 'neuro-modulator' would alter neuronal activity by mechanisms which might or might not involve a synapse. Two types of neuro-modu-lators might be: hormonal neuromodulators, providing direct short-or long-lasting modulation of neurons far from the release site, and synaptic neuromodulators, acting indirectly by modulating neuro-transmitter function. Preliminary criteria for classifying neuroregu-lators are described. As discussed in the paper, introduction of a nomenclature for neuroregulators could have several salutory effects. For example, it 43
CITATION STYLE
Elliott, G. R., & Barchas, J. D. (1980). Changing concepts about neuroregulation: neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. In Hormones and the Brain (pp. 43–52). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8709-8_4
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