Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
monoamine neurotransmitter

monoamine neurotransmitter

6.8
A brain chemical nerve cells use to send messages, like dopamine or serotonin
  • noun
  • /ˌmɒnəʊəˌmiːn ˈnjʊərəʊˌtrænsmɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : neurotransmisor monoaminérgico
  • Serotonin is a well-known monoamine neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and sleep.

Examples

  • Dopamine, a monoamine neurotransmitter, is involved in movement, motivation, and reward pathways.

  • Certain antidepressants work by increasing levels of monoamine neurotransmitter activity in the brain.

  • Dopamine is a type of monoamine neurotransmitter.

  • Many monoamine neurotransmitters play a role in mood regulation.

  • Certain antidepressants work by increasing levels of monoamine neurotransmitter activity in the brain.

  • Dopamine, a monoamine neurotransmitter, is involved in movement, motivation, and reward pathways.

  • Serotonin is a well-known monoamine neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and sleep.

Synonyms

neurotransmitter
vsmonoamine neurotransmitter
  • Specialized
9 5.5

A chemical that carries signals between nerve cells

is the chemically specific type that also has aromatic ring and two-carbon link
monoamine
vsmonoamine neurotransmitter
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A brain chemical with one amine group that sends signals between nerve cells

is the specific kind that has an aromatic ring and two-carbon link

Surface Forms

monoamine neurotransmitter singular
monoamine neurotransmitters plural

Morphology

monoamine + neurotransmitter

This is a straightforward noun–noun technical compound meaning 'a neurotransmitter that is a monoamine' — the modifier 'monoamine' specifies the type and 'neurotransmitter' gives the function, so the overall meaning is directly compositional. Although scientific, the structure follows common compounding patterns (and parallels in other languages), so a learner who knows both constituents can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Monoamine neurotransmitter: The name comes from its parts: mono means 'one' and amine is a small chemical piece with nitrogen, so the term literally names a brain 'messenger' that has one amine group. That's why it refers to chemicals like serotonin or dopamine that help nerve cells send signals.