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Dopamine: Difference between revisions
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== Effects on the Brain == | == Effects on the Brain == | ||
[[Image:example.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Description]] | [[Image:example.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Description]] | ||
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, not only plays a role of an addictive substance but also affects brain processes that control movement, emotions, and the ability to feel pain or pleasure. Moderation of dopamine plays a vital role in both mental and physical health. Neurons containing dopamine are bunched in the substantia nigra, an area of the midbrain Such as in Parkinson’s disease, where these transmitters die, leaving the brain almost dopamine-free. L-DOPA, a substance that can be converted to dopamine in the brain, is now being given to patients. <ref name=Utex>[http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html Dopamine - A Sample Neurotransmitter] Addiction Science Research and Education Center U of Texas, Carl Erickson, 4/23/11 date of access.</ref> | Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, not only plays a role of an addictive substance but also affects brain processes that control movement, emotions, and the ability to feel pain or pleasure. Moderation of dopamine plays a vital role in both mental and physical health. Neurons containing dopamine are bunched in the substantia nigra, an area of the midbrain Such as in Parkinson’s disease, where these transmitters die, leaving the brain almost dopamine-free. L-DOPA, a substance that can be converted to dopamine in the brain, is now being given to patients. For treating Parkinson’s or further creating the dopamine affect, dopamine agonists will bind to dopamine receptors in place of dopamine and directly stimulate those receptor. This can stimulate dopamine receptors even if the person lacks dopamine neurons. Dopamine antagonists on the other hand, prevent or reverse the actions of dopamine by binding to the receptors without stimulating them. This also prevents dopamine from reaching the receptors. These are usually used to treat schizophrenia and related mental issues. Other drugs, such as cocaine may have can alter dopamine function, but it varies depending on which receptors the drugs stimulate or block or how well the act like dopamine.<ref name=Utex>[http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html Dopamine - A Sample Neurotransmitter] Addiction Science Research and Education Center U of Texas, Carl Erickson, 4/23/11 date of access.</ref> | ||
'''Parkinson's Disease''' | '''Parkinson's Disease''' | ||
