Definition
Neurochemistry is the study of chemicals and their reactions in the nervous system. Potentially a tremendously broad field, neurochemistry could encompass nearly all the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Practically, “neurochemical” research has tended to focus on endogenous chemicals (especially neurotransmitters) and nongenetic molecular aspects of the nervous system, the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, and the identification of disease biomarkers.
Current Knowledge
Neurochemical research in autism has included studies on serotonin, noradrenaline (norepinephrine), dopamine, glutamate, GABA, and cholinergic and stress response systems. Most of the studies have examined levels of neurochemicals in either cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, or urine; only limited postmortem brain data are available and are not definitive.
Research on serotonin has focused on the well-replicated platelet hyperserotonemia of autism and apparent decrease...
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References and Readings
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Anderson, G.M. (2013). Neurochemistry. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1536
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1536
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