Amphetamines chemically resemble which neurotransmitter?

Amphetamines chemically resemble norepinephrine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in arousal, alertness, and attention, among other functions. Amphetamines can increase the release of norepinephrine in the brain, leading to heightened energy and focus. This structural similarity allows them to bind to receptors and influence the same pathways as norepinephrine, contributing to their stimulating effects.

In contrast, while dopamine does share some structural characteristics with amphetamines and also plays a role in mood and motivation, the direct chemical resemblance is more aligned with norepinephrine. Serotonin, associated with mood regulation and emotional well-being, and glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, do not have the same structural properties that mirror those of amphetamines as closely as norepinephrine does.