Dopamine: receptor families, clearance and pathways
The system behind reward, motivation, movement and psychosis — and the main target of antipsychotics and many drugs of abuse.
Where this fitsConnects to 2 · Unlocks 1
- Connects to
- Where drugs act: the brain's regions — Pathways connect the VTA, nucleus accumbens, cortex, substantia nigra and striatum.
- Making neurotransmitters: precursors and rate-limiting steps — Made from tyrosine; L-DOPA shortcuts synthesis.
- Unlocks
- Norepinephrine and serotonin — and serotonin syndrome — Norepinephrine is made from dopamine and shares MAO and COMT.
Orient
Dopamine (DA) – a catecholamine and a monoamine (monoamine = one amino acid group). DA receptors – all metabotropic: D1 family (excitatory) and D2 family (inhibitory). Metabolized by MAO (monoamine oxidase) and COMT; reuptaken by DAT (dopamine transporter). Three pathways: mesolimbic (the “reward” pathway, VTA to nucleus accumbens), mesocortical and nigrostriatal.
Course terms
Your professor's wording, word for word from the slides. Learn the term and this definition — the explanation underneath is only there to help it make sense.
- Monoamine
“Monoamine = one amino acid group”Slides 03, p. 21
Dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin; catecholamines (DA, NE) and indolamines (5-HT).
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
“Monoamines are metabolized by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO)”Slides 03, p. 21
“This is one to remember!”
- D1 family
“D1 family (excitatory)”Slides 03, p. 23
D1 and D5.
- D2 family
“D2 family (inhibitory)”Slides 03, p. 23
D2, D3, D4.
- DAT
“reuptaken by DAT (dopamine transporter)”Slides 03, p. 23
Also metabolized by MAO and COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase).
- Mesolimbic pathway
““Reward” pathway”Slides 03, p. 24
Ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens – acute reward; positive symptoms of schizophrenia associated.
- Mesocortical pathway
“Focus and attention; working memory”Slides 03, p. 24
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia associated.
- Nigrostriatal pathway
“Nigrostriatal/mesostriatal pathway”Slides 03, p. 24
Movement; damaged in Parkinson's.
From your course: Course slides 03, pp. 21–24
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Full lesson: Dopamine families and pathways