"alex" <alex at catbull.com> wrote in message
news:1147035816.854075.55970 at j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Are neuromodulators secreted by neurons and do they bind to receptors
> of the post synaptic membrane? So what is the difference between them
> and neurotransmitters then?
Neuromodulators are longer lasting, don't work through synapses (rather, the
neuromodulators are squirted out around the axon into the intercellular
fluid or go through cell membranes like nitric oxide and carbon monoxide),
modulate the activity of neurons rather than inhibit or excite them.
> Do they affect neurontransmitters? If yes,
> how do they do? Are drugs (like opiates, amphetamines) neuromodulators
> or neurotransmitters?
No, they're drugs.
> Thanks and kind regards, alex
Jeff
