Trace amine
Trace amines ( engl. trace cardamines ) are biogenic amines that arise by decarboxylation of amino acids. According to your name, they occur only in small amounts in the body. Originally it was believed that they are a by-product in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. By chance, however, Beth Borowsky discovered in 2001, a new family of receptors that were specifically stimulated by trace amines. They christened these receptors TA1, TA3, TA4 and TA5. Other receptor types were found in the mouse and rat.
Trace amines obtained by further work sensation, since the receptors are expressed in the reward system of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. Many of our foods contain trace amines such as cheese and bananas contain tyramine. β -phenylethylamine (PEA ) and tryptamine are found in chocolate. Since the discovery of the receptors is referred to them in addition to the serotonin and theobromine a mentally brightening effect to (chocolate: the feel-good -food). Dysregulation in the human body is associated with schizophrenia, and depression in association, possible, inter alia, is considered a role in migraine, Parkinson's disease and ADHD.
The trace amines include, among others:
- β - phenylethylamine, also structurally related to dopamine
- Tyramine, structurally related to dopamine
- Octopamine, structurally related to noradrenaline
- Tryptamine, structurally related to serotonin
(R )-4- hydroxyamphetamine is one of the most potent known agonist currently on track amine receptor type TA1.