dopamine

Introduction

Dopamine (DA) is a crucial neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in regulating various physiological functions such as motor control, cognition, reward, and neuroendocrine secretion. Its role extends to both the central and peripheral nervous systems, and its dysregulation is linked to several neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Key Insights

Dopamine Receptors and Their Functions:
- Dopamine receptors are divided into two major subclasses: D1-like (D1, D5) and D2-like (D2, D3, D4) receptors, which couple to different G-protein mediated transduction systems .
- D1-like receptors are mainly post-synaptic, while D2-like receptors are both pre- and post-synaptic .
- These receptors are involved in various functions including locomotion, cognition, emotion, and neuroendocrine secretion .
Role in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders:
- Dysregulation of the dopaminergic system is linked to Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, ADHD, and addiction .
- Dopamine's involvement in these disorders is often due to its role in motor control, reward mechanisms, and cognitive functions .
Dopamine and Reward Mechanisms:
- Dopamine is crucial for reward processing, influencing the efficacy of rewarding stimuli such as food, drugs, and brain stimulation .
- Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens is particularly linked to the rewarding effects and the 'stamping-in' of memory that attaches motivational importance to stimuli .
Dopamine's Role in Synaptic Plasticity:
- Dopamine modulates synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), which are essential for learning and memory.
- This modulation places dopamine at the interface between motor and cognitive systems, influencing both motor control and cognitive functions.
Neuroendocrine Functions:
- Dopamine released from the hypothalamus controls the synthesis and secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary via D2 receptors .
- It acts as a primary physiological inhibitor of prolactin secretion and has a broader inhibitory role in various hormonal systems.

Conclusion

Dopamine is a versatile neurotransmitter with significant roles in motor control, cognition, reward, and neuroendocrine functions. Its receptors, divided into D1-like and D2-like subclasses, mediate these diverse physiological actions. Dysregulation of the dopaminergic system is implicated in several neurological and psychiatric disorders, highlighting the importance of dopamine in maintaining normal brain function. Dopamine's involvement in reward mechanisms and synaptic plasticity further underscores its critical role in learning and motivation. Understanding these pathways can aid in developing targeted therapies for dopamine-related disorders.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Structure and function of dopamine receptors

Dopamine receptors play a crucial role in regulating various central nervous system functions, and their deregulation can lead to various disorders and tumors.

Dopamine receptors and brain function

Dopamine receptors play a crucial role in brain function, controlling locomotion, cognition, affect, and neuroendocrine secretion, but their role in psychotic disorders remains unidentified.

Dopamine, learning and motivation

Dopamine is crucial for reward efficacy and memory attachment, and its release in various brain structures contributes to the'stamping-in' of motivational importance to neutral environmental stimuli.

Brain dopamine and reward.

Dopamine plays a fundamental role in the rewarding effects of brain stimulation, psychomotor stimulants, opiates, and food, but its exact role and its role in reward circuitry remain unclear.

Dopamine: Functions, Signaling, and Association with Neurological Diseases

Dopamine plays a crucial role in neuromodulation and its imbalance may lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, Schizophrenia, Huntington's, ADHD, and addiction.

Dopamine: a prolactin-inhibiting hormone.

Dopamine (DA) is a versatile neurotransmitter and hormone that acts as an inhibitor in various hormonal systems, providing a unique example of neuroendocrine interactions.

Getting Formal with Dopamine and Reward

Dopamine neurons and other brain structures provide distinct reward signals, which interact to optimize voluntary behavior and learning.

Dopamine receptors: from structure to function.

Dopamine receptors play diverse roles in various central nervous system and peripheral systems, but their involvement in central nervous system disorders remains unclear.

The dopamine D(4) receptor: one decade of research.

The dopamine D(4) receptor plays a role in exploratory behavior and is a genetic susceptibility factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Dopamine: The Neuromodulator of Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity, Reward and Movement Control

Dopamine plays a crucial role in motor control, reward learning, and synaptic plasticity, which may contribute to neurological and psychiatric disorders like Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, and schizophrenia.

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