Blood-brain barrier. A barrier that surrounds the blood vessels of the brain. It is comprised of proteins and restrictive elements between the cells to protect the brain from foreign, potentially damaging substances such as toxins.

Modulatory. Neuropeptide actions on brain cells are said to be modulatory in that they can regulate  the actions of the neurotransmitters on the brain cell.

Neuron. A cell that transmits nerve impulses and is the basic functional unit of the nervous system.

Neuropeptide. A peptide released by the nervous system. A peptide is a small protein consisting of a chain of two or more amino acids (the building blocks of proteins).

Neurotransmitter. A chemical responsible for communicating signals from one nerve cell to another.

Receptor. A protein on or within a cell that interacts with a signaling molecule, such as a neurotransmitter or neuropeptide, to cause an effect within the cell.

LINKS TO RELEVANT WEBSITES

› Society for Neuroscience. Advancing the Understanding of the Brain and Nervous System

› HealthyMinds.org. Consumer information from American Psychiatric Association