Dopamine

Dopamine is a chemical naturally produced in the body. In the brain, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter, activating dopamine receptors. Dopamine is also a neurohormone released by the hypothalamus. Its main function as a hormone is to inhibit the release of prolactin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary.

Related Topics:
Brain - Neurotransmitter - Dopamine receptor - Neurohormone - Hypothalamus - Prolactin - Pituitary

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Dopamine can be supplied as a drug which acts on the sympathetic central nervous system, producing effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. However, since dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, dopamine given as a drug does not directly affect the central nervous system. To increase the amount of dopamine in the brain of patients with diseases such as Parkinson's disease, a synthetic precursor to dopamine such as L-DOPA can be given, since this will cross the blood-brain barrier.

Related Topics:
Drug - Sympathetic - Nervous system - Heart - Blood pressure - Blood-brain barrier - Central nervous system - Parkinson's disease - L-DOPA

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