title: Nitric oxide synthase: role as a transmitter/mediator in the brain and endocrine system.
abstract: Nitric oxide is a unique biological messenger molecule. It is produced by endothelial cells to mediate blood vessel relaxation; it mediates, in part, the immune functions of activated macrophages; and in the central and peripheral nervous system it serves as a neurotransmitter. In the nervous system, nitric oxide may regulate neurotransmitter release, it may play a key role in synaptic plasticity and morphogenesis, and it may regulate sexual and aggressive behavior. Under conditions of excessive formation, nitric oxide is emerging as an important neurotoxin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Dawson
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000502:physiology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase