Introduction
This is a neurotransmitter which has many mental effects on the human brain. Dopamine is responsible for our sense of pleasure, feelings of love and attachment, integrated thoughts and feelings, as well as unselfishness and care for others. Its produced in the hypothalamus and used throughout the brain.
Function
Dopamine works by binding to a G-protein linked receptor protein on the surface of a dendrite. After it binds, the G-protein linked receptor protein activates a G-protein, and second messenger response is used to carry the signal.
Dopamine has several functions. Its present in the basal ganglia, a portion of the brain responsible for regulating mvoement. Dopamine reduces the use of an indirect pathway and increases the actions directed towards the direct pathway within the basal ganglia. With low levels of dopamine, the indirect pathway is used more and movements can become slowed, delayed, and uncoordinated. However, too much dopamine can cause the body to make unncessary movements, like bouncing a leg up and down while sitting.
Dopamine also mediates pleasure in the brain. During pleasurable situations like consuming food, having sexual intercourse, or using drugs, dopamine is released and causes people to seek out the pleasurable activity again.
Dopamine also helps in focus and attention. Seeing pleasing things helps release dopamine, and this can in turn help one to focus. Dopamine may also be responsible for helping one maintain short term memory based on an "imagined response to certain information" (Dopamine Functions, 2015). Reduced dopamine concentrations in certain parts of the brain (prefrontal cortex) are thought to contribute to attention deficit disorder, also known as ADD.
In cognition i.e. thinking and processing information, dopamine controls the flow of intormation into the frontal lobes from other areas of the brain. Some disorders of dopamine in the frontal lobes lead to decline in "neurocognitive functions, especially memory, attention, and problem-solving" (Dopamine Functions, 2015).
Additional Functions
Dopamine also acts as an inhibitor when it comes to the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary gland. Abnormally high dopamine transmission has been scientifically linked to psychosis and schizophrenia, and antipsychotics mostly work by inhibiting dopamine at their receptors. In pain processing, dopamine also plays a role, especially in the central nervous system. Low levels of dopamine have been linked to painful symptoms that also occur with Parkinson's disease. Dopamine is also involved in the control of vomiting and nausea.
Low levels
Low levels of Dopamine are associated with many different mental instabilities such as mood swings, a lack of focus, food cravings or sudden weight gain, boredom, or a lack of satisfaction. Additionally, Parkinson's disease, ADHD, and depression are linked to a lack of dopamine.
Increasing Levels
Some of the easiest and most effective way to treat low levels of dopamine are simple lifestyle changes. Increasing exercise or decreasing stress are two of the main suggestions to naturally increase dopamine production. Also, dietary changes can often times increase levels of dopamine. Foods such as almonds, chocolate, bananas, eggs, fish, apples, and strawberries
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is a disorder that causes shaking, stiffness, a lack of balance or coordination, and difficulty walking or moving. The progressive loss of dopamine producing cells in the brain causes this mental illness. Without the production of dopamine, less is available to stimulate the part of the brain connected to movement, which is what leads to Parkinson's Disease. Signs of Parkinson's Disease are not present until about 50-80% of dopamine neurons have died. Once the signs of the disorder start to show, they will get increasingly worse overtime as more and more of the neurons die. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's Disease. Doctors try to target treatments at improving the quality of life of the patients, but they cannot stop the deterioration of the nerve cells.
This is a neurotransmitter which has many mental effects on the human brain. Dopamine is responsible for our sense of pleasure, feelings of love and attachment, integrated thoughts and feelings, as well as unselfishness and care for others. Its produced in the hypothalamus and used throughout the brain.
Function
Dopamine works by binding to a G-protein linked receptor protein on the surface of a dendrite. After it binds, the G-protein linked receptor protein activates a G-protein, and second messenger response is used to carry the signal.
Dopamine has several functions. Its present in the basal ganglia, a portion of the brain responsible for regulating mvoement. Dopamine reduces the use of an indirect pathway and increases the actions directed towards the direct pathway within the basal ganglia. With low levels of dopamine, the indirect pathway is used more and movements can become slowed, delayed, and uncoordinated. However, too much dopamine can cause the body to make unncessary movements, like bouncing a leg up and down while sitting.
Dopamine also mediates pleasure in the brain. During pleasurable situations like consuming food, having sexual intercourse, or using drugs, dopamine is released and causes people to seek out the pleasurable activity again.
Dopamine also helps in focus and attention. Seeing pleasing things helps release dopamine, and this can in turn help one to focus. Dopamine may also be responsible for helping one maintain short term memory based on an "imagined response to certain information" (Dopamine Functions, 2015). Reduced dopamine concentrations in certain parts of the brain (prefrontal cortex) are thought to contribute to attention deficit disorder, also known as ADD.
In cognition i.e. thinking and processing information, dopamine controls the flow of intormation into the frontal lobes from other areas of the brain. Some disorders of dopamine in the frontal lobes lead to decline in "neurocognitive functions, especially memory, attention, and problem-solving" (Dopamine Functions, 2015).
Additional Functions
Dopamine also acts as an inhibitor when it comes to the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary gland. Abnormally high dopamine transmission has been scientifically linked to psychosis and schizophrenia, and antipsychotics mostly work by inhibiting dopamine at their receptors. In pain processing, dopamine also plays a role, especially in the central nervous system. Low levels of dopamine have been linked to painful symptoms that also occur with Parkinson's disease. Dopamine is also involved in the control of vomiting and nausea.
Low levels
Low levels of Dopamine are associated with many different mental instabilities such as mood swings, a lack of focus, food cravings or sudden weight gain, boredom, or a lack of satisfaction. Additionally, Parkinson's disease, ADHD, and depression are linked to a lack of dopamine.
Increasing Levels
Some of the easiest and most effective way to treat low levels of dopamine are simple lifestyle changes. Increasing exercise or decreasing stress are two of the main suggestions to naturally increase dopamine production. Also, dietary changes can often times increase levels of dopamine. Foods such as almonds, chocolate, bananas, eggs, fish, apples, and strawberries
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is a disorder that causes shaking, stiffness, a lack of balance or coordination, and difficulty walking or moving. The progressive loss of dopamine producing cells in the brain causes this mental illness. Without the production of dopamine, less is available to stimulate the part of the brain connected to movement, which is what leads to Parkinson's Disease. Signs of Parkinson's Disease are not present until about 50-80% of dopamine neurons have died. Once the signs of the disorder start to show, they will get increasingly worse overtime as more and more of the neurons die. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's Disease. Doctors try to target treatments at improving the quality of life of the patients, but they cannot stop the deterioration of the nerve cells.
Sources
Dopamine (Dopamine Hydrochloride) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions - Prescribing Information at RxList. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from http://www.rxlist.com/dopamine-drug.htm
Dopamine Functions. (2010, January 10). Retrieved June 2, 2015, from http://www.news-medical.net/health/Dopamine-Functions.aspx
Dopamine Neurotransmitter. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from http://www.psychologistworld.com/biological/neurotransmitters/dopamine.php
Psychology Today. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/dopamine
Understanding Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html
What are Neurotransmitters? (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from https://www.neurogistics.com/TheScience/WhatareNeurotransmi09CE.asp
Dopamine (Dopamine Hydrochloride) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions - Prescribing Information at RxList. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from http://www.rxlist.com/dopamine-drug.htm
Dopamine Functions. (2010, January 10). Retrieved June 2, 2015, from http://www.news-medical.net/health/Dopamine-Functions.aspx
Dopamine Neurotransmitter. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from http://www.psychologistworld.com/biological/neurotransmitters/dopamine.php
Psychology Today. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/dopamine
Understanding Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html
What are Neurotransmitters? (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015, from https://www.neurogistics.com/TheScience/WhatareNeurotransmi09CE.asp