Neurotransmitter (noun)

A chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse, from the axon terminal of one nerve cell to the dendrite of another, allowing communication between nerve cells in the brain and nervous system.

Origin:

From new latin neuro- "nerve" + transmitter.

Examples:

1. Serotonin is a well-known neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and appetite.
2. The action of neurotransmitters is essential for transmitting signals throughout the brain and nervous system.
3. The amount and distribution of neurotransmitters in the brain can be affected by various factors, including drugs and illness.
4. Dysfunction of neurotransmitter systems has been implicated in a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression and Parkinson's disease.
5. Some drugs, such as antidepressants, work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain or blocking their reuptake.