Cotransmission is the release of several types of neurotransmitters from a single nerve terminal. Cotransmission allows for more complex effects at postsynaptic receptors, and thus allows for more complex communication to occur between neurons.
In modern neuroscience, neurons are often classified by their cotransmitter, for example striatal GABAergic neurons utilize opioid peptides or substance P as their primary cotransmitter.
Some neurons can release at least two neurotransmitters at the same time, the other being a cotransmitter, in order to provide the stabilizing negative feedback required for meaningful encoding, in the absence of inhibitory interneurons. Examples include:
- GABA–glycine co-release.
- Dopamine–glutamate co-release.
- Acetylcholine–glutamate co-release.
- Acetylcholine (ACh)–vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) co-release.
- Acetylcholine (ACh)–calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) co-release.
- Glutamate–dynorphin co-release (in hippocampus).
Read more about this topic: Neurotransmission