biogenic amine

amine

 [am´in, ah´mēn]

an organic compound containing nitrogen.

biogenic amine bioamine.

sympathomimetic a's amines that mimic the actions of the sympathetic nervous system, the group includes the catecholamines and drugs that mimic their actions.

vasoactive a's amines that cause vasodilation and increase small vessel permeability, such as histamine and serotonin.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

biogenic amine

n.

Any of a group of naturally occurring, biologically active amines, many of which are neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

biogenic amine

Any of the amines produced by living systems, which are involved in intercellular signalling.

Types
• Ethanolamine derivatives—choline, acetylcholine, muscarine.
• Catecholamines—adrenaline/epinephrine, noradrenaline/norepinephrine, dopamine.
• Polyamines—spermine.
• Indolylalkylamines—e.g., tryptamine and serotonin.
• Betaines—carnitine.
• Polymethyline diamines—cadaverine and putrescine.
• Others—histamine, serotonin, tyramine.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.