Catecholamines: what functions do these neurotransmitters have?

Be afraid and escape from that threatening stimulus. Experiencing worry and thinking about a strategy to act in the face of a distressing focus. Feeling stress before an exam, that medical appointment, the work meeting in which we must present a decisive proposal… In all these common situations, the body acts by releasing a type of decisive molecules: catecholamines.

Sometimes it is fascinating to reflect on how everyday behaviors are governed by the imperceptible biochemical universe of the organism. To talk about catecholamines is to refer to that primary instinct that until now has governed our survival.. Fighting, acting, fleeing or coping are vital actions for homeostasis.

These hormones in turn act as neurotransmitters, orchestrating what are surely the most decisive tasks in the central nervous system. Knowing how it works allows us to understand ourselves much better. We delve into it.

Catecholamines: what are they?

Catecholamines are hormones that also function as neurotransmitters. and that they are produced in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and also in the postganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system. At a chemical level, they are defined by a benzene ring, two hydroxyl groups and an amine. When they are released into the bloodstream or brain through nerve endings, the body changes, accelerates and activates in order to develop a specific type of behavior in response to an external demand.

However, the action of acting in the face of a threat or danger is by no means the only purpose of these multipurpose molecules. Catecholamines, whose precursor in their formation is tyrosine, They are present in multiple basic functions and essential for the central nervous system.

However, if we know these elements for something, it is because the adrenal glands produce them in large quantities in response to stress. We analyze more data.

Types of catecholamines and their functions

The main types of catecholamines that we have in the body are dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine. All three are derived from dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), a type of catecholic amino acid. These three elements of the central nervous system have maximum significance at the metabolic, cardiovascular and behavioral levels.

Dopamine

Dopamine is a phenylethylamine and, in turn, the most important catecholamine. From it, both norepinephrine and adrenaline are synthesized.. Likewise, this neurotransmitter is produced in multiple parts of the body, but it is produced in greater quantities in the substantia nigra of the brain.

dopamine participates in several decisive brain functions, such as motivation, memory or learning. Its presence in the frontal lobes of the brain allows it to control and facilitate the flow of information that comes from other areas of the brain. Thus, any alteration in its production will affect cognitive functions, such as attention, understanding, problem solving… One of the most decisive tasks of dopamine lies in the reward system for pleasurable stimuli, such as food, sex. , the adictions…Alteration in its production or functioning can lead to psychotic symptoms (disordered behavior and hallucinations).Likewise, the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is the origin of Parkinson’s disease.

Adrenalin

We also know adrenaline as epinephrine.. It is produced in the adrenal glands and is released in the body in situations of threats, risks, stress or fear, danger or excitement.

Thanks to its presence, a series of psychophysiological changes are activated to act on these stimuli (acceleration of breathing, dilation of the pupil, muscle tension, mobilization of glycogen reserves, arrest of intestinal motility…)

Adrenaline can also be synthesized in a laboratory to be used as a medicine for cardiorespiratory arrests, asthma, allergies, etc. It has a key role in cardiac and respiratory regulation.Adrenaline mediates the most exciting emotion of all: euphoria.

norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is produced, above all, in a very specific region of the brain: the locus coeruleus or blue nucleus. It does this from the degradation of tyrosine. Thus, among its main tasks we can highlight the following:

It helps us maintain average attention in the waking states, that is, in the conscious phase. Thanks to norepinephrine we go from sleep to the conscious state.Activates the cardiac muscles. It facilitates more intense blood circulation to keep the flight or attack response stable in the face of threats. Norepinephrine is essential to promote our motivation. Regulates the mood; a low level is related to depression.

Catecholamines and stress

We have already seen that the different types of catecholamines in the body fulfill decisive tasks on a daily basis: they mediate motivation, learning, eating, sex, breathing… However, there is a function in which all of them are orchestrated. for one purpose: to act on the stress response.

It is important to stop at this fact for one fact. As a study from the department of molecular biology at New York University reveals, stress is essential to promote our survival. We need this psychophysiological activation to respond to the demands of the environment and adapt to it.

Stress is not harmful, what is dangerous is the state of stress maintained over time and a high level of catecholamines in the body. The effects can be very adverse.

One of the consequences is the alteration of the brain’s nervous circuits by damaging neuronal tissue. This can promote depression or the appearance of psychotic breaks. A constantly high level of adrenaline affects the constriction of blood vessels: hypertension appears, tachycardia, risk of heart attacks… A constant and high release of catecholamines and glucocorticoids in unmanaged stress situations, weakens the immune system and alters metabolism. We can suffer more illnesses, gain weight, etc.

Therefore, it is important remember the importance of regulating this daily stress before it leads to an acute or chronic state. Knowing the mechanisms of internal biochemistry reminds us of the urgency of taking care of ourselves a little better.

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