Which neurotransmitter is associated with speeding neural activity?

• A. Glutamate
• B. GABA
• C. Dopamine
• D. Acetylcholine

Answer: (A)

Speeding neural activity comes from excitatory signaling that makes neurons more likely to fire. Glutamate is the brain’s primary fast excitatory neurotransmitter. When it binds to receptors like NMDA and AMPA, it opens channels that let positive ions into the neuron, depolarizing the membrane and increasing the chance of an action potential. This rapid glutamatergic transmission drives much of the brain’s fast communication.

In contrast, GABA is inhibitory, pulling the neuron away from firing by opening chloride channels and hyperpolarizing the cell. Dopamine influences motivation, reward, and movement rather than serving as the general accelerator of neural firing. Acetylcholine has diverse roles and can be excitatory in some contexts, but it doesn’t universally speed neural activity the way glutamate does.