Trace amines are an endogenous group of
trace amine associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonists – and hence, monoaminergic
neuromodulators – that are structurally and metabolically related to classical
monoamine neurotransmitters. Compared to the classical monoamines, they are present in trace concentrations. They are distributed heterogeneously throughout the mammalian brain and peripheral nervous tissues and exhibit high rates of
metabolism. Although they can be synthesized within parent monoamine
neurotransmitter systems, there is evidence that suggests that some of them may comprise their own independent neurotransmitter systems.