Catecholamine

Catecholamines are chemical compounds derived from the amino acid tyrosine that act as hormones or neurotransmitters. The most abundant catecholamines are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine. They are produced mainly from the medulla of the adrenal gland[?] and the postganglionic[?] fibers of the sympathetic nervous system.

Catecholamines levels in blood are associated with stress. They raise blood glucose levels and cause general physiological changes that prepare the body for physical activity (e.g.: exercise).

Some drugs, like selegiline, raise the levels of all the catecholamines.

This article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by fixing it.