Dopamine Neurotransmitter

The 'Ahs' are natural when we eat a chocolate or anything that we like. We feel very good
following such an experience. These feel-good signals are passed by the brain through a
neurotransmitter called dopamine. Know how dopamine works.

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Dopamine, a neurotransmitter is widely found in animals. Dopamine is a type of alkaloid
and monoamine compound, called phenethylamine. It works as a neurotransmitter and
activates five types of dopamine receptors - D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, and its variants. The
chemical formula of dopamine is C6H3(OH)2-CH2-CH2-NH2; while its chemical name is
4-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol. Dopamine is known by the abbreviation 'DA'.
Produced in substantia nigra and ventral tegmental, among other areas in the brain,
dopamine is also a neurohormone released by the hypothalamus. There are a lot of
functions of dopamine in the brain.
Role of Dopamine in the Brain
Dopamine has significant roles associated with behavior and cognition, motivation,
reward and voluntary movement. The list also includes roles related to sleep, attention,
mood, learning and inhibition of prolactin production. Apart from this, dopamine is

believed to give a signal to the parts of the brain responsible for learning new behavior.
Dopaminergic neurons located in the midbrain, are the main source of dopamine.
Motivation and Pleasure: How do you feel when you eat your favorite food? Naturally, it
is a spontaneous response that we feel good. This feeling of enjoyment is provided by
dopamine, which is closely associated with the pleasure system of the brain. It is released
during sexual activity. Food also triggers the release of dopamine. Dopamine provides a
feeling of reinforcement for motivating an individual to perform certain activities. There
is a theory that drugs such as cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine also lead to an increase
in the amount of dopamine released.
Learning and Reward Seeking: This neurotransmitter is involved in the control of
movements. It is also involved in signaling of error in the prediction of reward, cognition
and motivation. Other reward-seeking behaviors associated with dopamine are addiction,
approach and consumption. According to a research, when an individual expects a
reward, dopaminergic neurons are fired in the brain as a motivational substance. In the
effect of the reward being more than what is anticipated, the firing of these neurons
increases.
Dopamine is also responsible for the flow of information from different areas of the brain
to the frontal lobe. If there are dopamine-related disorders, it can cause a dip in memory,
problem solving and attention. The reduction in the concentration of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex is said to be responsible for attention deficit disorder.
Pathways of Dopaminergic Neurons
Neural pathways transmit dopamine from one region to another. There are four major
dopaminergic pathways and they are as follows:
Mesolimbic Pathway: Dopamine is transmitted from the midbrain, ventral tegmental area
(VTA) to the nucleus accumbens in the limbic system through this pathway.
Mesocortical Pathway: Dopamine is transmitted from the VTA to the frontal cortex
through this pathway.
Nigrostriatal Pathway: This pathway transmits the dopamine from substantia nigra
(structure in the midbrain) to striatum (subcortical part of cerebrum). This pathway is
related to motor control and dysfunction or degeneration the pathway leads to Parkinson's
disease.
Tuberoinfundibular Pathway: This pathway, which influences the secretion of certain
hormones, including prolactin, transmits dopamine from hypothalamus to the pituitary
gland.
These pathways are responsible for the proper functioning of dopamine. That prevents
any damage caused to brain, culminating into a health disorder.
With all these functions and intricacies, it is not surprising that dopamine forms such an

important aspect in the functioning of our brains. And one thing is for sure that now,
whenever you eat your favorite dish, you will automatically think of dopamine!