Olga Pastuszko, Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher and David Aebisher
Medical College of The University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland

Part of the book: The Biochemical Guide to Hormones

Abstract

Norepinephrine is known as norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a neurohormone and neurotransmitter, acts on many receptors, reducing cortical activity, either limiting the outflow of neurotransmitters, or increasing sensitivity to inhibitory signaling. It is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the sympathetic nervous system. It plays a key role in all forebrain functions, such as perception, memory, learning and homeostasis, and its dysfunction is closely related to both neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. Norepinephrine stimulates both α- and β-adrenergic receptors. The activated β receptors increase the contractility and excitability of the heart, and accelerate its action. In wakefulness, the concentration increases, and much higher levels are observed in states of stress and danger.

Keywords: norepinephrine, adrenoceptors, hyperpolarised cyclic nucleotidegated (HCN), vesicle

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