Study of the Vesicular Monoamine Transporter: Role and Function

三种单胺（MA）神经递质，多巴胺、血清素和去甲肾上腺素，仅在大脑中少数受限制的核中合成，它们是几乎所有高级大脑功能的主要调节剂。MA神经传递的重要性被强调，因为它们直接涉及多种功能，如睡眠过程、执行功能、学习和记忆、疼痛、焦虑、觉醒、动机、运动控制、奖励等....目前，使用的80%以上的精神药物或娱乐性药物直接靶向这三种单胺的特异性受体或转运体。

Synthesized in only a few restricted nuclei in the brain, the three monoamines (MA) neurotransmitters, dopamine, serotonin and noradrenalin, are altogether the major regulators of almost all superior brain functions. The importance of MA neurotransmission is highlighted by their direct implication in functions as diversed as sleep processes, executive functions, learning and memory, pain, anxiety, arousal, motivation, locomotor control, reward, etc etc.... At the present time, more than 80% of psychotropic or recreative drugs that are used, are directly targeting receptors or transporters specific for these three monoamines.