Norepinephrine - wikipedia Norepinephrine This article is about the hormone and neurotransmitter. For the medication used in treating low blood pressure, see norepinephrine ( drug ). Norepinephrine Clinical data Synonyms NE, NA, Noradrenaline, ( R ) - ( -- ) - Norepinephrine, l - 1 - ( 3, 4 - Dihydroxyphenyl ) - 2 - aminoethanol Physiological data Source tissues locus coeruleus ; sympathetic nervous system ; adrenal medulla Target tissues system - wide Receptors α, α, β, β Agonists sympathomimetic drugs, clonidine, isoprenaline Antagonists Tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers, antipsychotics Precursor dopamine Biosynthesis dopamine β - monooxygenase Metabolism MAO - A ; COMT Identifiers IUPAC name ( R ) - 4 - ( 2 - amino - 1 - hydroxyethyl ) benzene - 1, 2 - diol CAS Number 51 - 41 - 2 PubChem CID 439260 IUPHAR / BPS 505 DrugBank DB00368 ChemSpider 388394 KEGG C00547 ECHA InfoCard 100.000. 088 Norepinephrine ( NE ), also called noradrenaline ( NA ) or noradrenalin, is an organic chemical in the catecholamine family that functions in the brain and body as a hormone and neurotransmitter. The name `` noradrenaline, '' derived from Latin roots meaning `` at / alongside the kidneys, '' is more commonly used in the United Kingdom ; in the United States, `` norepinephrine, '' derived from Greek roots having that same meaning, is usually preferred. `` Norepinephrine '' is also the international nonproprietary name given to the drug. Regardless of which name is used for the substance itself, parts of the body that produce or are affected by it are referred to as noradrenergic. In the brain, norepinephrine is produced in nuclei that are small yet exert powerful effects on other brain areas. The most important of these nuclei is the locus coeruleus, located in the pons. Outside the brain, norepinephrine is used as a neurotransmitter by sympathetic ganglia located near the spinal cord or in the abdomen, and it is also released directly into the bloodstream by the adrenal glands. Regardless of how and where it is released, norepinephrine acts on target cells by binding to and activating noradrenergic receptors located on the cell surface. The general function of norepinephrine is to mobilize the brain and body for action. Norepinephrine release is lowest during sleep, rises during wakefulness, and reaches much higher levels during situations of stress or danger, in the so - called fight - or - flight response. In the brain, norepinephrine increases arousal and alertness, promotes vigilance, enhances formation and retrieval of memory, and focuses attention ; it also increases restlessness and anxiety. In the rest of the body, norepinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure, triggers the release of glucose from energy stores, increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, reduces blood flow to the gastrointestinal system, and inhibits voiding of the bladder and gastrointestinal motility. A variety of medically important drugs work by altering the actions of norepinephrine systems. Norepinephrine itself is widely used as an injectable drug for the treatment of critically low blood pressure. Beta blockers, which counter some of the effects of norepinephrine, are frequently used to treat glaucoma, migraine, and a range of cardiovascular problems. Alpha blockers, which counter a different set of norepinephrine effects, are used to treat several cardiovascular and psychiatric conditions. Alpha - 2 agonists often have a sedating effect, and are commonly used as anesthesia - enhancers in surgery, as well as in treatment of drug or alcohol dependence. Many important psychiatric drugs exert strong effects on norepinephrine systems in the brain, resulting in side - effects that may be helpful or harmful. Contents 1 Structure 2 Biochemical mechanisms 2.1 Biosynthesis 2.2 Degradation 3 Functions 3.1 Cellular effects 3.1. 1 Storage, release, and reuptake 3.2 Sympathetic nervous system 3.3 Central nervous system 4 Pharmacology 4.1 Sympathomimetic and sympatholytic drugs 4.2 Beta blockers 4.3 Alpha blockers 4.4 Alpha - 2 agonists 4.5 Stimulants and antidepressants 5 Diseases and disorders 5.1 Sympathetic hyperactivation 5.2 Pheochromocytoma 5.3 Stress 5.4 ADHD 5.5 Autonomic failure 6 Comparative biology and evolution 7 History 8 References Structure Norepinephrine is a catecholamine and a phenethylamine. Its structure differs from that of epinephrine only in that epinephrine has a methyl group attached to its nitrogen, whereas the methyl group is replaced by a hydrogen atom in norepinephrine. The prefix nor - is derived as an abbreviation of the word `` normal '', used to indicate a demethylated compound. Norepinephrine structure Epinephrine structure Catechol structure Biochemical mechanisms Biosynthesis Biosynthetic pathways for catecholamines and trace amines in the human brain L - Phenylalanine L - Tyrosine L - DOPA Epinephrine Phenethylamine p - Tyramine Dopamine Norepinephrine N - Methylphenethylamine N - Methyltyramine p - Octopamine Synephrine 3 - Methoxytyramine AADC AADC AADC primary pathway PNMT PNMT PNMT PNMT AAAH AAAH brain CYP2D6 minor pathway COMT DBH DBH Norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine in the human body by the dopamine β - hydroxylase ( DBH ) enzyme. Norepinephrine is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine by a series of enzymatic steps in the adrenal medulla and postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system. While the conversion of tyrosine to dopamine occurs predominantly in the cytoplasm, the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine by dopamine β - monooxygenase occurs predominantly inside neurotransmitter vesicles. The metabolic pathway is : Phenylalanine → Tyrosine → L - DOPA → Dopamine → Norepinephrine Thus the direct precursor of norepinephrine is dopamine, which is synthesized indirectly from the essential amino acid phenylalanine or the non-essential amino acid tyrosine. These amino acids are found in nearly every protein and, as such, are provided by ingestion of protein - containing food, with tyrosine being the most common. Phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, with molecular oxygen ( O ) and tetrahydrobiopterin as cofactors. Tyrosine is converted into L - DOPA by the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, with tetrahydrobiopterin, O, and probably ferrous iron ( Fe ) as cofactors. L - DOPA is converted into dopamine by the enzyme aromatic L - amino acid decarboxylase ( also known as DOPA decarboxylase ), with pyridoxal phosphate as a cofactor. Dopamine is then converted into norepinephrine by the enzyme dopamine β - monooxygenase ( formerly known as dopamine β - hydroxylase ), with O and ascorbic acid as cofactors. Norepinephrine itself can further be converted into epinephrine by the enzyme phenylethanolamine N - methyltransferase with S - adenosyl - L - methionine as cofactor. Degradation In mammals, norepinephrine is rapidly degraded to various metabolites. The initial step in the breakdown can be catalyzed by either of the enzymes monoamine oxidase ( mainly monoamine oxidase A ) or COMT. From there the breakdown can proceed by a variety of pathways. The principal end products are either Vanillylmandelic acid or a conjugated form of MHPG, both of which are thought to be biologically inactive and are excreted in the urine. Norepinephrine degradation. Metabolizing enzymes are shown in boxes. Functions Cellular effects Main article : Adrenergic receptor Adrenergic receptors in the mammal brain and body Family Receptor Type Mechanism Alpha α G - coupled. Increase IP and calcium by activating phospholipase C. α G / G - coupled. Decrease cAMP by inhibiting adenylate cyclase. Beta β G - coupled. Increase cAMP by activating adenylate cyclase. β β Like many other biologically active substances, norepinephrine exerts its effects by binding to and activating receptors located on the surface of cells. Two broad families of norepinephrine receptors have been identified, known as alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. Alpha receptors are divided into subtypes α and α ; beta receptors into subtypes β, β, and β. All of these function as G protein - coupled receptors, meaning that they exert their effects via a complex second messenger system. Alpha - 2 receptors usually have inhibitory effects, but many are located pre-synaptically ( i.e., on the surface of the cells that release norepinephrine ), so the net effect of alpha - 2 activation is often a decrease in the amount of norepinephrine released. Alpha - 1 receptors and all three types of beta receptors usually have excitatory effects. Storage, release, and reuptake Norepinephrine ( labeled `` noradrenaline '' in this drawing ) processing in a synapse. After release norepinephrine can either be taken up again by the presynaptic terminal, or broken down by enzymes. Inside the brain norepinephrine functions as a neurotransmitter, and is controlled by a set of mechanisms common to all monoamine neurotransmitters. After synthesis, norepinephrine is transported from the cytosol into synaptic vesicles by the vesicular monoamine transporter ( VMAT ). Norepinephrine is stored in these vesicles until it is ejected into the synaptic cleft, typically after an action potential causes the vesicles to release their contents directly into the synaptic cleft through a process called exocytosis. Once in the synapse, norepinephrine binds to and activates receptors. After an action potential, the norepinephrine molecules quickly become unbound from their receptors. They are then absorbed back into the presynaptic cell, via reuptake mediated primarily by the norepinephrine transporter ( NET ). Once back in the cytosol, norepinephrine can either be broken down by monoamine oxidase or repackaged into vesicles by VMAT, making it available for future release. Sympathetic nervous system Main article : Sympathetic nervous system Schema of the sympathetic nervous system, showing the sympathetic ganglia and the parts of the body to which they connect. Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter used by the sympathetic nervous system, which consists of about two dozen sympathetic chain ganglia located next to the spinal cord, plus a set of prevertebral ganglia located in the chest and abdomen. These sympathetic ganglia are connected to numerous organs, including the eyes, salivary glands, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, stomach, intestines, kidneys, urinary bladder, reproductive organs, muscles, skin, and adrenal glands. Sympathetic activation of the adrenal glands causes the part called the adrenal medulla to release norepinephrine into the bloodstream, from which, functioning as a hormone, it gains further access to a wide variety of tissues. Broadly speaking, the effect of norepinephrine on each target organ is to modify its state in a way that makes it more conducive to active body movement, often at a cost of increased energy use and increased wear and tear. This can be contrasted with the acetylcholine - mediated effects of the parasympathetic nervous system, which modifies most of the same organs into a state more conducive to rest, recovery, and digestion of food, and usually less costly in terms of energy expenditure. The sympathetic effects of norepinephrine include : In the eyes, an increase in production of tears, making the eyes more moist., and pupil dilation through contraction of the iris dilator. In the heart, an increase in the amount of blood pumped. In brown adipose tissue, an increase in calories burned to generate body heat. Multiple effects on the immune system. The sympathetic nervous system is the primary path of interaction between the immune system and the brain, and several components receive sympathetic inputs, including the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. However the effects are complex, with some immune processes activated while others are inhibited. In the arteries, constriction of blood vessels, causing an increase in blood pressure. In the kidneys, release of renin and retention of sodium in the bloodstream. In the liver, an increase in production of glucose, either by glycogenolysis after a meal or by gluconeogenesis when food has not recently been consumed. Glucose is the body 's main energy source in most conditions. In the pancreas, increased release of glucagon, a hormone whose main effect is to increase the production of glucose by the liver. In skeletal muscles, an increase in glucose uptake. In adipose tissue ( i.e., fat cells ), an increase in lipolysis, that is, conversion of fat to substances that can be used directly as energy sources by muscles and other tissues. In the stomach and intestines, a reduction in digestive activity. This results from a generally inhibitory effect of norepinephrine on the enteric nervous system, causing decreases in gastrointestinal mobility, blood flow, and secretion of digestive substances. Central nervous system Brain areas containing noradrenergic neurons. The noradrenergic neurons in the brain form a neurotransmitter system, that, when activated, exerts effects on large areas of the brain. The effects are manifested in alertness, arousal, and readiness for action. Noradrenergic neurons ( i.e., neurons whose primary neurotransmitter is norepinephrine ) are comparatively few in number, and their cell bodies are confined to a few relatively small brain areas, but they send projections to many other brain areas and exert powerful effects on their targets. These noradrenergic cell groups were first mapped in 1964 by Annica Dahlström and Kjell Fuxe, who assigned them labels starting with the letter `` A '' ( for `` aminergic '' ). In their scheme, areas A1 through A7 contain the neurotransmitter norepinephrine ( A8 through A14 contain dopamine ). Noradrenergic cell group A1 is located in the caudal ventrolateral part of the medulla, and plays a role in the control of body fluid metabolism. Noradrenergic cell group A2 is located in a brainstem area called the solitary nucleus ; these cells have been implicated in a variety of responses, including control of food intake and responses to stress. Cell groups A5 and A7 project mainly to the spinal cord. The most important source of norepinephrine in the brain is the locus coeruleus, which contains noradrenergic cell group A6 and adjoins cell group A4. The locus coeruleus is quite small in absolute terms -- in primates it is estimated to contain around 15,000 neurons, less than one millionth of the neurons in the brain -- but it sends projections to every major part of the brain and also to the spinal cord. The level of activity in the locus coeruleus correlates broadly with vigilance and speed of reaction. LC activity is low during sleep and drops to virtually nothing during the REM ( dreaming ) state. It runs at a baseline level during wakefulness, but increases temporarily when a person is presented with any sort of stimulus that draws attention. Unpleasant stimuli such as pain, difficulty breathing, bladder distension, heat or cold generate larger increases. Extremely unpleasant states such as intense fear or intense pain are associated with very high levels of LC activity. Norepinephrine released by the locus coeruleus affects brain function in a number of ways. It enhances processing of sensory inputs, enhances attention, enhances formation and retrieval of both long term and working memory, and enhances the ability of the brain to respond to inputs by changing the activity pattern in the prefrontal cortex and other areas. The control of arousal level is strong enough that drug - induced suppression of the LC has a powerful sedating effect. There is great similarity between situations that activate the locus coeruleus in the brain and situations that activate the sympathetic nervous system in the periphery : the LC essentially mobilizes the brain for action while the sympathetic system mobilizes the body. It has been argued that this similarity arises because both are to a large degree controlled by the same brain structures, particularly a part of the brainstem called the nucleus gigantocellularis. Pharmacology A large number of important drugs exert their effects by interacting with norepinephrine systems in the brain or body. Their uses include treatment of cardiovascular problems, shock, and a variety of psychiatric conditions. Sympathomimetic and sympatholytic drugs Sympathomimetic drugs mimic or enhance at least some of the effects of norepinephrine released by the sympathetic nervous system ; sympatholytic drugs, in contrast, block at least some of the effects. Both of these are large groups with diverse uses, depending on exactly which effects are enhanced or blocked. Norepinephrine itself is classified as a sympathomimetic drug : its effects when given by intravenous injection of increasing heart rate and force and constricting blood vessels make it very useful for treating medical emergencies that involve critically low blood pressure. Beta blockers Main article : Beta blocker These are drugs that block the effects of beta noradrenergic receptors while having little or no effect on alpha receptors. They are sometimes used to treat high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure, but recent reviews have concluded that other types of drugs are usually superior for those purposes. Beta blockers may be a viable choice for other cardiovascular conditions, though, including angina and Marfan syndrome. They are also widely used to treat glaucoma, either in pill form or in eyedrops. Because of their effects in reducing anxiety symptoms and tremor, they have sometimes been used by entertainers, public speakers and athletes to reduce performance anxiety, although they are not medically approved for that purpose and are banned by the International Olympic Committee. However, the usefulness of beta blockers is limited by a range of serious side effects, including slowing of heart rate, a drop in blood pressure, asthma, and reactive hypoglycemia. The negative effects can be particularly severe in people who suffer from diabetes. Alpha blockers Main article : Alpha blocker These are drugs that block the effects of noradrenergic alpha receptors while having little or no effect on beta receptors. Drugs belonging to this group can have very different effects, however, depending on whether they primarily block alpha - 1 receptors, alpha - 2 receptors, or both. Alpha - 2 receptors, as described elsewhere in this article, are frequently located on norepinephrine - releasing neurons themselves and have inhibitory effects on them ; consequently blockage of alpha - 2 receptors usually results in an increase in norepinephrine release. Alpha - 1 receptors are usually located on target cells and have excitatory effects on them ; consequently blockage of alpha - 1 receptors usually results in blocking some of the effects of norepinephrine. Drugs such as phentolamine that act on both types of receptors can produce a complex combination of both effects. In most cases when the term `` alpha blocker '' is used without qualification, it refers to a selective alpha - 1 antagonist. Selective alpha - 1 blockers have a variety of uses. Because one of their effects is to relax the muscles in the neck of the bladder, they are often used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, and to help with the expulsion of bladder stones. Their effects on the central nervous system make them useful for treating generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. They may, however, have significant side - effects, including a drop in blood pressure. Some antidepressants function partly as selective alpha - 2 blockers, but the best - known drug in that class is yohimbine, which is extracted from the bark of the African yohimbe tree. Yohimbine acts as a male potency enhancer, but its usefulness for that purpose is limited by serious side - effects including anxiety and insomnia. Overdoses can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure. Yohimbine is banned in many countries, but in the United States, because it is extracted from a plant rather than chemically synthesized, it is sold over the counter as a nutritional supplement. Alpha - 2 agonists These are drugs that activate alpha - 2 receptors or enhance their effects. Because alpha - 2 receptors are inhibitory and many are located presynaptically on norepinephrine - releasing cells, the net effect of these drugs is usually to reduce the amount of norepinephrine released. Drugs in this group that are capable of entering the brain often have strong sedating effects, due to their inhibitory effects on the locus coeruleus. Clonidine, for example, is used for the treatment of anxiety disorders and insomnia, and also as a sedative premedication for patients about to undergo surgery. Xylazine, another drug in this group, is also a powerful sedative and is often used in combination with ketamine as a general anaesthetic for veterinary surgery -- in the United States it has not been approved for use in humans. Stimulants and antidepressants See also : Stimulant § Mechanisms of action, and Antidepressant § Pharmacology These are drugs whose primary effects are thought to be mediated by different neurotransmitter systems ( dopamine for stimulants, serotonin for antidepressants ), but many also increase levels of norepinephrine in the brain. Amphetamine, for example, is a stimulant that increases release of norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are antidepressants that inhibit the metabolic degradation of norepinephrine as well as serotonin. In some cases it is difficult to distinguish the norepinephrine - mediated effects from the effects related to other neurotransmitters. Diseases and disorders A number of important medical problems involve dysfunction of the norepinephrine system in the brain or body. Sympathetic hyperactivation Hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system is not a recognized condition in itself, but it is a component of a number of conditions, as well as a possible consequence of taking sympathomimetic drugs. It causes a distinctive set of symptoms including aches and pains, rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, sweating, palpitations, anxiety, headache, paleness, and a drop in blood glucose. If sympathetic activity is elevated for an extended time, it can cause weight loss and other stress - related body changes. The list of conditions that can cause sympathetic hyperactivation includes severe brain injury, spinal cord damage, heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and various types of stress. Pheochromocytoma A pheochromocytoma is a rarely occurring tumor of the adrenal medulla, caused either by genetic factors or certain types of cancer. The consequence is a massive increase in the amount of norepinephrine and epinephrine released into the bloodstream. The most obvious symptoms are those of sympathetic hyperactivation, including particularly a rise in blood pressure that can reach fatal levels. The most effective treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. Stress Stress, to a physiologist, means any situation that threatens the continued stability of the body and its functions. Stress affects a wide variety of body systems : the two most consistently activated are the hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal axis and the norepinephrine system, including both the sympathetic nervous system and the locus coeruleus - centered system in the brain. Stressors of many types evoke increases in noradrenergic activity, which mobilizes the brain and body to meet the threat. Chronic stress, if continued for a long time, can damage many parts of the body. A significant part of the damage is due to the effects of sustained norepinephrine release, because of norepinephrine 's general function of directing resources away from maintenance, regeneration, and reproduction, and toward systems that are required for active movement. The consequences can include slowing of growth ( in children ), sleeplessness, loss of libido, gastrointestinal problems, impaired disease resistance, slower rates of injury healing, depression, and increased vulnerability to addiction. ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a psychiatric condition involving problems with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. It is most commonly treated using stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate ( Ritalin ), whose primary effect is to increase dopamine levels in the brain, but drugs in this group also generally increase brain levels of norepinephrine, and it has been difficult to determine whether these actions are involved in their clinical value. Also there is substantial evidence that many people with ADHD show `` biomarkers '' involving altered norepinephrine processing. Several drugs whose primary effects are on norepinephrine, including guanfacine, clonidine, and atomoxetine, have been tried as treatments for ADHD, and found to have effects comparable to those of stimulants. Autonomic failure Several conditions, including Parkinson 's disease, diabetes and so - called pure autonomic failure, can cause a loss of norepinephrine - secreting neurons in the sympathetic nervous system. The symptoms are widespread, the most serious being a reduction in heart rate and an extreme drop in resting blood pressure, making it impossible for severely affected people to stand for more than a few seconds without fainting. Treatment can involve dietary changes or drugs. Comparative biology and evolution Chemical structure of octopamine, which serves as the homologue of norepinephrine in many invertebrate species Norepinephrine has been reported to exist in a wide variety of animal species, including protozoa, placozoa and cnidaria ( jellyfish and related species ), but not in ctenophores ( comb jellies ), whose nervous systems differ greatly from those of other animals. It is generally present in deuterostomes ( vertebrates, etc. ), but in protostomes ( arthropods, molluscs, flatworms, nematodes, annelids, etc. ) it is replaced by octopamine, a closely related chemical with a closely related synthesis pathway. In insects, octopamine has alerting and activating functions that correspond ( at least roughly ) with the functions of norepinephrine in vertebrates. It has been argued that octopamine evolved to replace norepinephrine rather than vice versa ; however, the nervous system of amphioxus ( a primitive chordate ) has been reported to contain octopamine but not norepinephrine, which presents difficulties for that hypothesis. History Main article : History of catecholamine research Early in the twentieth century Walter Cannon, who had popularized the idea of a sympathoadrenal system preparing the body for fight and flight, and his colleague Arturo Rosenblueth developed a theory of two sympathins, sympathin E ( excitatory ) and sympathin I ( inhibitory ), responsible for these actions. The Belgian pharmacologist Zénon Bacq as well as Canadian and US - American pharmacologists between 1934 and 1938 suggested that noradrenaline might be a sympathetic transmitter. 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Neurotransmitters Amino acid - derived Major excitatory / inhibitory systems : Glutamate system : Agmatine Aspartic acid ( aspartate ) Cycloserine Glutamic acid ( glutamate ) Glutathione Glycine GSNO GSSG Kynurenic acid NAA NAAG Proline Serine ; GABA system : GABA GABOB GHB ; Glycine system : α - Alanine β - Alanine Glycine Hypotaurine Proline Sarcosine Serine Taurine ; GHB system : GHB T - HCA ( GHC ) Biogenic amines : Monoamines : 6 - OHM Dopamine Epinephrine ( adrenaline ) NAS ( normelatonin ) Norepinephrine ( noradrenaline ) Serotonin ( 5 - HT ) ; Trace amines : 3 - Iodothyronamine N - Methylphenethylamine N - Methyltryptamine m - Octopamine p - Octopamine Phenylethanolamine Phenethylamine Synephrine Tryptamine m - Tyramine p - Tyramine ; Others : Histamine Neuropeptides : See here instead. Lipid - derived Endocannabinoids : 2 - AG 2 - AGE ( noladin ether ) 2 - ALPI 2 - OG AA - 5 - HT Anandamide ( AEA ) DEA LPI NADA NAGly OEA Oleamide PEA RVD - Hpα SEA Virodhamine ( O - AEA ) Neurosteroids : See here instead. Nucleobase - derived Nucleosides : Adenosine system : Adenosine ADP AMP ATP Vitamin - derived Cholinergic system : Acetylcholine Miscellaneous Gasotransmitters : Carbon monoxide ( CO ) Hydrogen sulfide ( H S ) Nitric oxide ( NO ) ; Candidates : Acetaldehyde Ammonia ( NH ) Carbonyl sulfide ( COS ) Nitrous oxide ( N O ) Sulfur dioxide ( SO ) Hormones Endocrine glands Hypothalamic - pituitary Hypothalamus GnRH TRH Dopamine CRH GHRH Somatostatin ( GHIH ) MCH Posterior pituitary Oxytocin Vasopressin Anterior pituitary FSH LH TSH Prolactin POMC CLIP ACTH MSH Endorphins Lipotropin GH Adrenal axis Adrenal cortex aldosterone cortisol cortisone DHEA DHEA - S androstenedione Adrenal medulla epinephrine norepinephrine Thyroid Thyroid hormone Calcitonin Thyroid axis Parathyroid PTH Gonadal axis Testis testosterone AMH inhibin Ovary estradiol progesterone activin and inhibin relaxin ( pregnancy ) Placenta hCG HPL estrogen progesterone Pancreas glucagon insulin amylin somatostatin pancreatic polypeptide Pineal gland melatonin N, N - dimethyltryptamine 5 - methoxy - N, N - dimethyltryptamine Other Thymus Thymosins Thymosin α1 Beta thymosins Thymopoietin Thymulin Digestive system Stomach gastrin ghrelin Duodenum CCK Incretins GIP GLP - 1 secretin motilin VIP Ileum enteroglucagon peptide YY Liver / other Insulin - like growth factor IGF - 1 IGF - 2 Adipose tissue leptin adiponectin resistin Skeleton Osteocalcin Kidney JGA ( renin ) peritubular cells EPO calcitriol prostaglandin Heart Natriuretic peptide ANP BNP Adrenergic receptor modulators α Agonists : 6 - FNE Amidephrine Anisodine Buspirone Cirazoline Corbadrine Desglymidodrine Dexisometheptene Dipivefrine Dopamine Droxidopa ( L - DOPS ) Ephedrine Epinephrine Etilefrine Etilevodopa Ethylnorepinephrine Indanidine Isometheptene L - DOPA ( levodopa ) L - Phenylalanine L - Tyrosine Melevodopa Metaraminol Methoxamine Methyldopa Midodrine Naphazoline Norepinephrine Octopamine ( drug ) Oxymetazoline Phenylephrine Phenylpropanolamine Pseudoephedrine Synephrine Tetryzoline Tiamenidine XP21279 Xylometazoline Antagonists : Abanoquil Adimolol Ajmalicine Alfuzosin Amosulalol Anisodamine Arotinolol Atiprosin Atypical antipsychotics ( e.g., brexpiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone ) Benoxathian Buflomedil Bunazosin Carvedilol Corynanthine Dapiprazole Domesticine Doxazosin Ergolines ( e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, lisuride, terguride ) Etoperidone Eugenodilol Fenspiride Hydroxyzine Indoramin Ketanserin L - 765,314 Labetalol mCPP Mepiprazole Metazosin Monatepil Moxisylyte Naftopidil Nantenine Neldazosin Niaprazine Nicergoline Niguldipine Pardoprunox Pelanserin Perlapine Phendioxan Phenoxybenzamine Phentolamine Phenylpiperazine antidepressants ( e.g., hydroxynefazodone, nefazodone, trazodone, triazoledione ) Piperoxan Prazosin Quinazosin Quinidine Ritanserin Silodosin Spiperone Talipexole Tamsulosin Terazosin Tiodazosin Tolazoline Tetracyclic antidepressants ( e.g., amoxapine, maprotiline, mianserin ) Tricyclic antidepressants ( e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine, trimipramine ) Trimazosin Typical antipsychotics ( e.g., chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, loxapine, thioridazine ) Urapidil WB - 4101 Zolertine α Agonists : ( R ) - 3 - Nitrobiphenyline 4 - NEMD 6 - FNE Amitraz Apraclonidine Brimonidine Cannabivarin Clonidine Corbadrine Detomidine Dexmedetomidine Dihydroergotamine Dipivefrine Dopamine Droxidopa ( L - DOPS ) Etilevodopa Ephedrine Ergotamine Epinephrine Etilefrine Ethylnorepinephrine Guanabenz Guanfacine Guanoxabenz L - DOPA ( levodopa ) L - Phenylalanine L - Tyrosine Lofexidine Medetomidine Melevodopa Methyldopa Mivazerol Naphazoline Norepinephrine Oxymetazoline Phenylpropanolamine Piperoxan Pseudoephedrine Rezatomidine Rilmenidine Romifidine Talipexole Tasipimidine Tetrahydrozoline Tiamenidine Tizanidine Tolonidine Urapidil Vatinoxan XP21279 Xylazine Xylometazoline Antagonists : 1 - PP Adimolol Amesergide Aptazapine Atipamezole Atypical antipsychotics ( e.g., asenapine, brexpiprazole, clozapine, lurasidone, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone, zotepine ) Azapirones ( e.g., buspirone, gepirone, ipsapirone, tandospirone ) BRL - 44408 Buflomedil Cirazoline Efaroxan Esmirtazapine Fenmetozole Fluparoxan Idazoxan mCPP Mianserin Mirtazapine NAN - 190 Olanzapine Pardoprunox Phentolamine Phenoxybenzamine Piperoxan Piribedil Rauwolscine Rotigotine SB - 269970 Setiptiline Spiroxatrine Sunepitron Tolazoline Typical antipsychotics ( e.g., chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, loxapine, thioridazine ) Yohimbine β Agonists : Abediterol Alifedrine Amibegron Arbutamine Arformoterol Arotinolol BAAM Bambuterol Befunolol Bitolterol Broxaterol Buphenine Carbuterol Carmoterol Cimaterol Clenbuterol Colterol Corbadrine Denopamine Dipivefrine Dobutamine Dopamine Dopexamine Droxidopa ( L - DOPS ) Ephedrine Epinephrine Etafedrine Etilefrine Etilevodopa Ethylnorepinephrine Fenoterol Formoterol Hexoprenaline Higenamine Indacaterol Isoetarine Isoprenaline Isoxsuprine L - DOPA ( levodopa ) L - Phenylalanine L - Tyrosine Levosalbutamol Mabuterol Melevodopa Methoxyphenamine Methyldopa Mirabegron Norepinephrine Orciprenaline Oxyfedrine PF - 610355 Phenylpropanolamine Pirbuterol Prenalterol Ractopamine Procaterol Pseudoephedrine Reproterol Rimiterol Ritodrine Salbutamol Salmeterol Solabegron Terbutaline Tretoquinol Tulobuterol Vilanterol Xamoterol XP21279 Zilpaterol Zinterol Antagonists : Acebutolol Adaprolol Adimolol Afurolol Alprenolol Alprenoxime Amosulalol Ancarolol Arnolol Arotinolol Atenolol Befunolol Betaxolol Bevantolol Bisoprolol Bopindolol Bornaprolol Brefonalol Bucindolol Bucumolol Bufetolol Bufuralol Bunitrolol Bunolol Bupranolol Butaxamine Butidrine Butofilolol Capsinolol Carazolol Carpindolol Carteolol Carvedilol Celiprolol Cetamolol Cicloprolol Cinamolol Cloranolol Cyanopindolol Dalbraminol Dexpropranolol Diacetolol Dichloroisoprenaline Dihydroalprenolol Dilevalol Diprafenone Draquinolol Ecastolol Epanolol Ericolol Ersentilide Esatenolol Esprolol Eugenodilol Exaprolol Falintolol Flestolol Flusoxolol Hydroxycarteolol Hydroxytertatolol ICI - 118,551 Idropranolol Indenolol Indopanolol Iodocyanopindolol Iprocrolol Isoxaprolol Isamoltane Labetalol Landiolol Levobetaxolol Levobunolol Levomoprolol Medroxalol Mepindolol Metipranolol Metoprolol Moprolol Nadolol Nadoxolol Nebivolol Nifenalol Nipradilol Oxprenolol Pacrinolol Pafenolol Pamatolol Pargolol Penbutolol Pindolol Practolol Primidolol Procinolol Pronethalol Propafenone Propranolol Ridazolol Ronactolol Soquinolol Sotalol Spirendolol SR 59230A Sulfinalol Talinolol Tazolol Tertatolol Tienoxolol Tilisolol Timolol Tiprenolol Tolamolol Toliprolol Xibenolol Xipranolol See also : Receptor / signaling modulators Dopaminergics Serotonergics Monoamine reuptake inhibitors Monoamine releasing agents Monoamine metabolism modulators Monoamine neurotoxins Human trace amine - associated receptor ligands TAAR1 Agonists Endogenous Classical monoamine neurotransmitters Dopamine Histamine Norepinephrine Serotonin Trace amines 3 - Iodothyronamine 3 - Methoxytyramine N - Methylphenethylamine N - Methyltyramine m - Octopamine p - Octopamine Phenethylamine Phenylethanolamine Synephrine Tryptamine m - Tyramine p - Tyramine Synthetic Amphetamine DOB DOET 4 - Hydroxyamphetamine Isoprenaline MDA ( tenamfetamine ) MDMA ( midomafetamine ) 2 - Methylphenethylamine 3 - Methylphenethylamine 4 - Methylphenethylamine β - Methylphenethylamine Methamphetamine 3 - MMA Norfenfluramine Phentermine o - PIT Propylhexedrine RO5166017 N, N - Dimethylphenethylamine Neutral antagonists Inverse agonists EPPTB ( RO5212773 ) TAAR2 Agonists 3 - Iodothyronamine Phenethylamine Tyramine Neutral antagonists TAAR5 Agonists Dimethylethylamine Trimethylamine Neutral antagonists Inverse agonists 3 - Iodothyronamine References for all endogenous human TAAR1 ligands are provided at List of trace amines References for synthetic TAAR1 agonists can be found at TAAR1 or in the associated compound articles. For TAAR2 and TAAR5 agonists and inverse agonists, see TAAR for references. See also : Receptor / signaling modulators Phenethylamines Phenethylamines Psychedelics : 25B - NBOMe 25C - NBOMe 25D - NBOMe 25I - NBOMe 25N - NBOMe 2C - B 2C - B - AN 2C - Bn 2C - Bu 2C - C 2C - CN 2C - CP 2C - D 2C - E 2C - EF 2C - F 2C - G 2C - G - 1 2C - G - 2 2C - G - 3 2C - G - 4 2C - G - 5 2C - G - 6 2C - G-N 2C - H 2C - I 2C - iP 2C - N 2C - NH2 2C - O 2C - O - 4 2C - P 2C - Ph 2C - SE 2C - T 2C - T - 2 2C - T - 3 2C - T - 4 2C - T - 5 2C - T - 6 2C - T - 7 2C - T - 8 2C - T - 9 2C - T - 10 2C - T - 11 2C - T - 12 2C - T - 13 2C - T - 14 2C - T - 15 2C - T - 16 2C - T - 17 2C - T - 18 2C - T - 19 2C - T - 20 2C - T - 21 2C - T - 22 2C - T - 22.5 2C - T - 23 2C - T - 24 2C - T - 25 2C - T - 27 2C - T - 28 2C - T - 30 2C - T - 31 2C - T - 32 2C - T - 33 2C - TFE 2C - TFM 2C - YN 2C - V Allylescaline DESOXY Escaline Isoproscaline Jimscaline Macromerine MEPEA Mescaline Metaescaline Methallylescaline Proscaline Psi - 2C - T - 4 TCB - 2 Stimulants : Phenylethanolamine Hordenine Phenethylamine α - Methylphenethylamine ( amphetamine ) β - Methylphenethylamine m - Methylphenethylamine N - Methylphenethylamine o - Methylphenethylamine p - Methylphenethylamine Entactogens : Lophophine MDPEA MDMPEA Others : BOH DMPEA Amphetamines Psychedelics : 3C - BZ 3C - E 3C - P Aleph Beatrice Bromo - DragonFLY D - Deprenyl DMA DMCPA DMMDA DOB DOC DOEF DOET DOI DOM DON DOPR DOTFM Ganesha MMDA MMDA - 2 Psi - DOM TMA TeMA Stimulants : 2 - FA 2 - FMA 3 - FA 3 - FMA Acridorex Alfetamine Amfecloral Amfepentorex Amphetamine ( Dextroamphetamine, Levoamphetamine ) Amphetaminil Benfluorex Benzphetamine Cathine Clobenzorex Dimethylamphetamine Ephedrine Etilamfetamine Fencamfamin Fencamine Fenethylline Fenfluramine ( Dexfenfluramine, Levofenfluramine ) Fenproporex Flucetorex Fludorex Formetorex Furfenorex Gepefrine 4 - Hydroxyamphetamine Iofetamine Isopropylamphetamine Lefetamine Lisdexamfetamine Mefenorex Metaraminol Methamphetamine ( Dextromethamphetamine, Levomethamphetamine ) Methoxyphenamine MMA Morforex Norfenfluramine L - Norpseudoephedrine N, alpha - Diethylphenylethylamine Oxifentorex Oxilofrine Ortetamine PBA PCA Phenpromethamine PFA PFMA PIA PMA PMEA PMMA Phenylpropanolamine Pholedrine Prenylamine Propylamphetamine Pseudoephedrine Sibutramine Tiflorex Tranylcypromine Xylopropamine Zylofuramine Entactogens : 4 - FA 4 - FMA 4 - MA 4 - MMA 4 - MTA 5 - APB 5 - APDB 5 - EAPB 5 - IT 5 - MAPB 5 - MAPDB 6 - APB 6 - APDB 6 - Chloro - MDMA 6 - EAPB 6 - IT 6 - MAPB 6 - MAPDB EDA IAP 2, 3 - MDA 3, 4 - MDA ( tenamfetamine ) MDEA MDHMA MDMA ( midomafetamine ) MDOH Methamnetamine MMDMA Naphthylaminopropane TAP Others : 3, 4 - DCA Amiflamine DiFMDA Selegiline ( also D - Deprenyl ) Phentermines Stimulants : Chlorphentermine Cloforex Clortermine Etolorex Mephentermine Pentorex Phentermine Entactogens : MDPH MDMPH Others : Cericlamine Cathinones Stimulants : 3 - FMC 4 - MC 4 - BMC 4 - CMC 4 - EMC 4 - FMC 4 - MEC 4 - MeMABP 4 - MPD Amfepramone Benzedrone Brephedrone Buphedrone Bupropion Cathinone Dimethylcathinone Ethcathinone Eutylone Hydroxybupropion Methcathinone Methedrone NEB Pentedrone Pentylone Radafaxine Entactogens : 3, 4 - DMMC 3 - MMC Butylone Ethylone Methylone Methylenedioxycathinone Mephedrone Phenylisobutylamines Entactogens : 4 - CAB 4 - MAB Ariadne BDB Butylone EBDB Eutylone MBDB Stimulants : Phenylisobutylamine Phenylalkylpyrrolidines Stimulants : α - PBP α - PHP α - PPP α - PVP MDPBP MDPPP MDPV 4 - MePBP 4 - MePHP 4 - MePPP MOPPP MOPVP MPBP MPHP MPPP Naphyrone PEP Prolintane Pyrovalerone Catecholamines ( and close relatives ) 6 - FNE 6 - OHDA a-Me - DA a-Me - TRA Adrenochrome Ciladopa D - DOPA ( Dextrodopa ) Dimetofrine Dopamine Epinephrine Epinine Etilefrine Ethylnorepinephrine Fenclonine Ibopamine Isoprenaline Isoetarine L - DOPA ( Levodopa ) L - DOPS ( Droxidopa ) L - Phenylalanine L - Tyrosine m - Tyramine Metanephrine Metaraminol Metaterol Metirosine Methyldopa N, N - Dimethyldopamine Nordefrin ( Levonordefrin ) Norepinephrine Norfenefrine ( m - Octopamine ) Normetanephrine Orciprenaline p - Octopamine p - Tyramine Phenylephrine Synephrine Miscellaneous AL - LAD Amidephrine Arbutamine Cafedrine Denopamine Desvenlafaxine Diphenidine Dizocilpine Dobutamine Dopexamine Ephenidine Etafedrine ETH - LAD Famprofazone Fluorolintane Hexapradol IP - LAD Lysergic acid amide Lysergic acid 2 - butyl amide Lysergic acid 2, 4 - dimethylazetidide Lysergic acid diethylamide Methoxamine Methoxphenidine MT - 45 PARGY - LAD Phenibut PRO-LAD Pronethalol Salbutamol ( Levosalbutamol ) Solriamfetol Theodrenaline Thiamphenicol UWA - 101 GND : 4171995 - 5 NDL : 00568687 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Norepinephrine&oldid=804726500 '' Categories : Norepinephrine TAAR1 agonists Amphetamine Neurotransmitters Hormones Biology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Catecholamines Biogenic amines Peripherally selective drugs Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter CS1 maint : Uses editors parameter CS1 German - language sources ( de ) Use dmy dates from September 2015 ECHA InfoCard ID from Wikidata Infobox drug articles with non-default infobox title Articles without EBI source Articles without InChI source Articles without UNII source Drugs missing an ATC code Drugs with no legal status Articles containing unverified chemical infoboxes All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2017 Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca Български Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch ދިވެހިބަސް Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego 한국어 Հայերեն Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Íslenska Italiano עברית Кыргызча Latina Latviešu Lietuvių Magyar Македонски മലയാളം Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk ଓଡ଼ିଆ Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча Polski Português Română Русский Scots Shqip Slovenčina Slovenščina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska தமிழ் Türkçe Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 10 October 2017, at 19 : 30. 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Question: how does the same neurotransmitter (i.s. norepinephrine) have different effects on different tissues
Answer: norepinephrine acts on target cells by binding to and activating noradrenergic receptors