Neurotransmitters other than Acetyl choline and NorAdrenaline of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system play important role in synaptic junction transmission. That neurotransmitters are called NANC.

1. NON ADRENERGIC NON
CHOLINERGIC
TRANSMISSION(NANC)
DR. MERLIN.N.J
Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Ezhuthachan College of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Trivandrum

2. Definition
 Neurotransmitters other than Acetyl choline and NorAdrenaline of parasympathetic and
sympathetic nervous system play important role in synaptic junction transmission. That
neurotransmitters are called NANC.

3. Important NANC transmitters
 Function in post ganglionic nerve terminals
 ATP
 Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
 Neuropeptide Y
 Nitric Oxide
 Function in ganglionic transmission
 5HT
 GABA
 Dopamine

4.  Nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) transmission has been demonstrated in
the autonomic innervation of the gut, vas deferens, urinary tract, salivary
glands and certain blood vessels, where nerve stimulation is able to evoke
limited responses even in the presence of total adrenergic and cholinergic
blockade.
 For example, it has been shown that stimulation of sympathetic nerve to
guinea pig vas deferens elicits a biphasic contractile response, the initial
short-lasting phase of which is mediated by ATP (through P2 receptors) and
the second longer lasting phase by NA (through α1 receptors).

5. ATP
 ATP is an important extracellular signalling molecule and mediates Ca++
signalling events
 Acts as neurotransmitter in both central and peripheral nervous system
 Involved in chemical transmission in sensory and autonomic ganglia in the CNS
induces fast excitatory post synaptic current
 Mediate action of inotropic and metabotropic receptors

6. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
 Is an aminoacid neurotransmitter distributed in central and peripheral
nervous system
 Acts as a neurotransmitter, immune regulator, vasodilator and secetagogue

7. Neuropeptide Y
 Synthesized in GABA ergic neurons and act as neurotransmitter during cellular
communication
 Regulate neuroendocrine release of various hormones such as Leutinising Hormone and
is secreted with GABA and Glutamate
 Produced by neurons of sympathetic nervous system and serve as a strong
vasoconstrictor and causes growth of fat tissue
 play a key role in stress, pain, anxiety, food intake, bp and controls epileptic seizures

8. Nitric Oxide
 Works as retrograde neurotransmitter in synapse
 Allows brain blood flow , dilates blood vessels and known as Endothelial
Dependendent Relaxing Factor(EDRF)
 Nitric oxide activate guanyl cyclase c GMP pathway and produces
hyperpolarization and relaxation of smooth muscles
 Has important role in intracellular signalling in neurons from regulation of
neuronal metabolic status to dendritic spine growth

9. Substance P
 Function as a neurotransmitter and modulate pain perception by altering
cellular signal pathways
 Has role in gastro intestinal functioning, memory processing, angiogenesis,
vasodilatation, cell growth and proliferation

10. GABA
 Inhibitory neurotransmitter because it inhibits or blocks certain brain signals
and decreases activity in brain

11. Dopamine
 Involved in controlling movements
 Several diseases are associated with imbalance in dopamine. Dopamine
deficiency leads to parkinsonism and excess dopamine leads to psychosis

12. 5HT
 Is a neurotransmitter involved in mood disorders
 5HT Receptors are G protein coupled receptors and modulate both excitatory
and inhibitory neurotransmission