{{Short description|Family of neurotransmitters}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2015}} thumb|right|180px|Tryptamine - otherwise known as indolamine.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
'''Indolamines''' are a family of neurotransmitters that share a common molecular structure. Indolamines are a classification of monoamine neurotransmitter, along with catecholamines and ethylamine derivatives. A common example of an indolamine is the tryptophan derivative serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood and sleep.<ref>{{cite journal |pmc=2077351|year=2007|last1=Young|first1=S. N.|title=How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs|journal=Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience|volume=32|issue=6|pages=394–399|pmid=18043762}}</ref> Another example of an indolamine is melatonin.
In biochemistry, indolamines are substituted indole compounds that contain an amino group. Examples of indolamines include the lysergamides.
== Synthesis == thumb|right|300px|The pathway for the synthesis of serotonin from tryptophan. Note that all compounds shown are indolamines.
{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Indolamines are biologically synthesized from the essential amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is synthesized into serotonin through the addition of a hydroxyl group by the enzyme ''tryptophan hydroxylase'' and the subsequent removal of the carboxyl group by the enzyme ''5-HTP decarboxylase''.<ref>Carlson, Neil R. ''Physiology of Behavior''. 11th ed. Vol. 1. N.p.: Pearson Education, n.d. Print.</ref>
== See also == *Indole *Tryptamine
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Neurotransmitters Category:Indoles Category:Amines