Biochemical brain activity refers to the chemical processes that regulate neuronal communication and brain function. Key biochemical processes include:
- Neurotransmission (release and uptake of neurotransmitters)
-
Glutamate (excitatory)
-
GABA (inhibitory)
-
Dopamine (reward, motivation, motor control)
-
Serotonin (mood, sleep, appetite)
-
Acetylcholine (learning, memory, attention)
-
- Ion channel regulation
-
Ion gradients (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-) which drive action potentials and synaptic transmission
-