Abstract

This review treats the mechanism of nitric oxide, catecholamines, and glutamate as important neurotransmitters and as neurotoxins, based on involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and electron transfer (ET). ROS and ET can serve as a unifying framework for both transmission and toxicity, with ROS concentration being a crucial issue. Cell signaling, electrochemistry, antioxidants, and apoptosis are also discussed.

Keywords: nitric oxide, catecholamines, glutamate, neurotransmission, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species