norepinephrine

noun

nor·​epi·​neph·​rine ˈnȯr-ˌe-pə-ˈne-frən 

: a monoamine C₈H₁₁NO₃ that is a neurotransmitter in postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system and in some parts of the central nervous system, is a vasopressor hormone of the adrenal medulla, and is a precursor of epinephrine in its major biosynthetic pathway

Examples of norepinephrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your body responds by increasing levels of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that increases your heart rate, and your brain sends signals to the blood vessels in your legs to constrict to push the blood back up, Dr. Grubb says. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 10 June 2024

Together, norepinephrine and serotonin account for just a few percentage of the synapses in the brain. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024

During REM sleep, levels of norepinephrine—a neurotransmitter that drives fear responses such as sweating, rapid heart rate and pupil dilation—get tamped down. —Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024

One of the great misconceptions about brain chemistry is that the brain is dominated by norepinephrine and serotonin. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

norepinephrine

noun

nor·​epi·​neph·​rine ˈnȯ(ə)r-ˌep-ə-ˈnef-rən 

: a hormone that causes blood vessels to contract and helps to transmit nerve impulses in the sympathetic nervous system and in some parts of the central nervous system

Medical Definition

norepinephrine

noun

nor·​epi·​neph·​rine ˌnȯr-ˌep-ə-ˈnef-rən  -rēn 

: a catecholamine C₈H₁₁NO₃ that is the chemical means of transmission across synapses in postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system and in some parts of the central nervous system, is a vasopressor hormone of the adrenal medulla, and is a precursor of epinephrine in its major biosynthetic pathway

called also arterenol, noradrenaline

see levophed