HealthAugust 18, 2026

monoamine

MON-uh-uh-meen

Definition

A type of neurotransmitter, such as dopamine, serotonin, or norepinephrine, that is derived from an amino acid and plays a critical role in regulating brain activity.

Etymology

The term is a chemical compound word formed from 'mono-' (meaning one or single) and 'amine' (referring to a chemical derivative of ammonia). It was coined in scientific literature to categorize this specific class of nitrogen-containing signaling molecules.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the neurotransmitters that methamphetamine affects, specifically how the drug reverses their normal transport to flood the synapse and amplify brain signaling.

Graduate researcher leads landmark methamphetamine treatment systematic review

Read the full article ↗

Medical Xpress

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.