Dopamine Molecule

Dopamine Ball and Stick Model

To View the Dopamine Molecule in 3D --->>in 3D with Jsmol

(http://www.worldofmolecules.com/3D/dopamine_3d.htm)

Dopamine (C6H3(OH)2-CH2-CH2-NH2) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter in the brain. Its chemical name

is 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol.

t can also be supplied as a sympathomimetic drug, i.e. a drug which acts on the sympathetic nervous system,
producing effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Dopamine in the basal ganglia plays a critical role in the way our brain controls our movements. Thus,
shortage of dopamine, particularly the death of dopamine neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway, is a cause of
Parkinson's disease, in which a person loses the ability to execute smooth, controlled movements.

In the frontal lobes, dopamine plays a role in controlling the flow of information from other areas of the brain.
Dopamine disorders in the frontal lobes can cause a decline in neurocognitive function, particularly those
linked to the frontal lobes, such as memory, attention and problem solving.

Disruption to the dopamine system has also been strongly linked to psychosis and schizophrenia. Dopamine
neurons in the mesolimbic pathway are particularly associated with these conditions. This is partly due to the
discovery of a class of drugs called the phenothiazines (which block dopamine D2 receptors) which can
reduce psychotic symptoms, and partly due to the finding that drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine
(which are known to greatly increase dopamine levels) can cause psychosis when used in excess. Because
of this, all modern antipsychotic medication is designed to block dopamine function to varying degrees.

In addition, dopamine is involved in the chemistry of pleasure. Release of dopamine into that part of the limbic
system known as the "pleasure center" (an area just below the thalamus) causes pleasure. Although it
functions normally to reward vital activities such as eating and sex, this same mechanism is also responsible
for the craving connected with addiction to drugs, cocaine for example.

Dopamine is also a hormone released by the hypothalamus. Its main function is to inhibit the release of
prolactin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary.

Readings and References

Dopamine Molecule - Pub Chem (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/dopamine)

Molecules of Life Resources

Periodic Table of Elements (http://www.worldofmolecules.com/elements/)

Simple Carbon Compounds (http://www.worldofmolecules.com/txtbk2/topic6.htm)

What is Nanotechnology? (http://www.worldofmolecules.com/nanotechnology/)

Explain it with Molecules (http://www.worldofmolecules.com/interactive_molecules/)

How do Drugs Work? (http://www.edinformatics.com/interactive_molecules/how_drugs_work.htm)

WHAT ARE THE BEST CULINARY SCHOOLS IN AMERICA?

(http://www.edinformatics.com/culinaryarts/culinaryschools.htm)

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(http://www.edinformatics.com/careers/food_science_programs.htm)

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