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Dopamine

Dopamine is a chemical that transmits signals from one nerve cell to another (neurotransmitter) in the brain.

Functions:

  • Responsible for the reward-motivated behavior. It helps control the reward and pleasure centers in the brain, and regulate movement and emotional responses.

  • Dilation in the blood vessels

  • Increases sodium excretion and urine output in the kidneys

  • Protects intestinal mucosa and reduces motility of intestine in the digestive system

  • Reduces insulin production in the pancreas

  • Reduces the activity of lymphocytes in the immune system

Conditions due to impaired functions of the dopamine system:

  • Loss of dopamine-secreting neurons in the brain is related to Parkinson's disease

  • Highly altered levels of dopamine activity has been observed in schizophrenia

  • Decreased dopamine activity has been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

  • Low dopamine activity may be responsible for being more prone to addiction.

Dopamine in drug form is used in the treatment of heart failure or shock. L-DOPA is widely used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Antipsychotic drugs act by weakening dopamine activity.

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