Dopaminergic pathways

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

Dopaminergic pathways are neural pathways in the brain that transmit the neurotransmitter dopamine from one region of the brain to another. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter that plays several important roles in the brain and body. The dopaminergic pathways are involved in many functions, including motor control, reward, and the regulation of mood.

Etymology

The term "dopaminergic" is derived from "dopamine," which is itself named after its chemical precursors, dopa and amine. "Dopa" is an acronym for dihydroxyphenylalanine, and "amine" refers to the chemical group that includes nitrogen and hydrogen.

Dopaminergic Pathways

There are several major dopaminergic pathways in the brain. These include:

  • The mesolimbic pathway, which originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects to the nucleus accumbens. This pathway is associated with reward and pleasure.
  • The mesocortical pathway, which also originates in the VTA and projects to the prefrontal cortex. This pathway is involved in cognitive control and emotion regulation.
  • The nigrostriatal pathway, which originates in the substantia nigra and projects to the striatum. This pathway is involved in motor control and is particularly affected in Parkinson's disease.
  • The tuberoinfundibular pathway, which originates in the hypothalamus and projects to the pituitary gland. This pathway regulates the release of prolactin, a hormone involved in lactation and sexual gratification.

Related Terms

  • Neurotransmitter: A chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.
  • Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
  • Synapse: The junction between two neurons where information is transmitted from one to the other.

See Also

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PubMed
Wikipedia

  • Dopaminergic pathways

  • Mesocorticolimbic Circuit

  • Nigrostriatal Pathway

  • Tuberoinfundibular Pathway

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD