From the Guidelines
The primary neurotransmitters involved in executive function are dopamine and norepinephrine.
Key Neurotransmitters
- Dopamine: plays a crucial role in executive control processes in the prefrontal cortex, enhancing the functioning of executive control processes, and ameliorating deficits in inhibitory control and working memory 1.
- Norepinephrine: also involved in frontal lobe function, with stimulants acting to increase synaptic norepinephrine, thereby optimizing executive and attentional function in patients with ADHD 1.
Mechanism of Action
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, act by inhibiting the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters, leading to an increase in synaptic dopamine and norepinephrine, which in turn enhances prefrontal cortex activity and improves executive function 1.
Clinical Relevance
The enhancement of dopamine and norepinephrine activity is thought to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of stimulants in ADHD, improving attention, impulse control, and working memory 1.
Other Neurotransmitters
While dopamine and norepinephrine are the primary neurotransmitters involved in executive function, other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, may also play a role, with some stimulants, like methylphenidate, having agonist activity at the serotonin type 1A receptor 1.
From the Research
Neurotransmitters Involved in Executive Function
The neurotransmitters involved in executive function include:
- Dopamine: plays a key role in regulating cognitive functions, including attention and executive functions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Norepinephrine: involved in the activation of neurons at the prefrontal cortex and plays a role in executive function 2, 3, 5
- Serotonin: involved in executive function, although to a lesser degree than dopamine and norepinephrine 2, 5
- Acetylcholine: also involved in executive function, although to a lesser degree than dopamine and norepinephrine 2, 5
Role of Neurotransmitters in Executive Function
These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in modulating executive function, including:
- Attention: dopamine and norepinephrine are involved in attentional processes 3, 4
- Cognitive flexibility: dopamine is involved in regulating cognitive flexibility 2
- Response inhibition: dopamine and norepinephrine are involved in response inhibition 2, 3
- Working memory: dopamine and norepinephrine are involved in working memory 5
Impact of Neurotransmitter Dysregulation on Executive Function
Dysregulation of these neurotransmitters can have a significant impact on executive function, leading to:
- Cognitive deficits: alterations in dopamine and norepinephrine can lead to cognitive deficits, including attentional deficits and executive function disorders 3, 4, 5
- Executive function disorders: disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, and traumatic brain injury are associated with executive function disorders and dysregulation of dopamine and norepinephrine 5