Dopaminergic pathways

Dopaminergic pathways
Mesolimbic dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways.

Dopaminergic pathways are neural pathways in the brain which transmit the neurotransmitter dopamine from one region of the brain to another.[1]

The neurons of the dopaminergic pathways have axons which run the entire length of the pathway. The neurons' soma produces the enzymes that synthesize dopamine, and they are then transmitted via the projecting axons to their synaptic destinations, where most of the dopamine is produced. Dopaminergic nerve cell bodies in such areas as the substantia nigra tend to be pigmented due to the presence of the black pigment melanin.

Examples

There are eight dopaminergic pathways, but the four major ones are:

Name Description Disorders
mesolimbic pathway The mesolimbic pathway transmits dopamine from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens. The VTA is located in the midbrain, and the nucleus accumbens is in the limbic system. The "meso-" prefix in the word "mesolimbic" refers to the midbrain, or "middle brain", since "meso" means "middle" in Greek. schizophrenia
mesocortical pathway The mesocortical pathway transmits dopamine from the VTA to the frontal cortex. The "meso-" prefix in "mesocortical" refers to the VTA which is located in the midbrain, and "cortical" refers to the cortex. schizophrenia
nigrostriatal pathway The nigrostriatal pathway transmits dopamine from the substantia nigra to the striatum. This pathway is associated with motor control. Parkinson's disease, chorea
tuberoinfundibular pathway The tuberoinfundibular pathway transmits dopamine from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. This pathway influences the secretion of certain hormones, including prolactin. "Infundibular" in the word "tuberoinfundibular" refers to the infundibulum out of which the pituitary gland develops. hyperprolactinaemia

Minor ones include the incertohypothalamic pathway within the hypothalamus, which has a role in sexual behaviour.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dopaminergic cell groups — are collections of neurons in the central nervous system that have been demonstrated by histochemical fluorescence to contain the neurotransmitter dopamine.[1] Eleven discrete dopaminergic cell groups have been identified.[2][3][4] …   Wikipedia

  • Dopaminergic — Main article: Dopamine The chemical structure of the neurotransmitter dopamine Dopaminergic means related to the neurotransmitter dopamine …   Wikipedia

  • Dopamine — For other uses, see Dopamine (disambiguation). Dopamine …   Wikipedia

  • Substantia nigra — Brain: Substantia nigra Section through superior colliculus showing Substantia nigra …   Wikipedia

  • Mesolimbic pathway — Mesolimbic dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways. The mesolimbic pathway is one of the dopaminergic pathways in the brain. The pathway begins in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain and connects to the limbic system via the nucleus… …   Wikipedia

  • Cognitive neuroscience of dreams — Scholarly interest in the process and functions of dreaming has been present since Sigmund Freud’s interpretations in the 1900s. The neurology of dreaming has remained misunderstood until recent distinctions, however. The information available… …   Wikipedia

  • Striatum — Brain: Striatum purple=caudate and putamen, orange=thalamus …   Wikipedia

  • Globus pallidus — Brain: Globus pallidus Globus pallidus labeled at bottom right …   Wikipedia

  • Neurotransmitter — For an introduction to concepts and terminology used in this article, see Chemical synapse. Structure of a typical chemical synapse Postsynaptic density Voltage gated Ca++ c …   Wikipedia

  • Nucleus accumbens — Brain: Nucleus accumbens Nucleus accumbens visible in red …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”