Projection neurons in the brain that synthesize and release dopamine
The main dopaminergic pathways of the human brain
Dopaminergic pathways (dopamine pathways, dopaminergic projections) in the human brain are involved in both physiological and behavioral processes including movement, cognition, executive functions, reward, motivation, and neuroendocrine control.[1] Each pathway is a set of projection neurons, consisting of individual dopaminergic neurons.
The four major dopaminergic pathways are the mesolimbic pathway, the mesocortical pathway, the nigrostriatal pathway, and the tuberoinfundibular pathway. The mesolimbic pathway and the mesocortical pathway form the mesocorticolimbic system. Two other dopaminergic pathways to be considered are the hypothalamospinal tract and the incertohypothalamic pathway.
Parkinson's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders (addiction), and restless legs syndrome (RLS) can be attributed to dysfunction in specific dopaminergic pathways.
The dopamine neurons of the dopaminergic pathways synthesize and release the neurotransmitter dopamine.[2][3] Enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa decarboxylase are required for dopamine synthesis.[4] These enzymes are both produced in the cell bodies of dopamine neurons. Dopamine is stored in the cytoplasm and vesicles in axon terminals. Dopamine release from vesicles is triggered by action potential propagation-induced membrane depolarization.[4] The axons of dopamine neurons extend the entire length of their designated pathway.
^Alcaro A, Huber R, Panksepp J (December 2007). "Behavioral functions of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system: an affective neuroethological perspective". Brain Research Reviews. 56 (2): 283–321. doi:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.07.014. PMC 2238694. PMID 17905440.
^"Beyond the Reward Pathway". Learn Genetics. University of Utah. Archived from the original on 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
^Le Moal M (1995). "Mesocorticolimbic Dopaminergic Neurons: Functional and Regulatory Roles". In Bloom FE, Kupfer DJ (eds.). Psychopharmacology: the fourth generation of progress. New York: Raven Press. ISBN 978-0-7817-0166-2. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018.
^ abHarsing LG (2008). "Dopamine and the Dopaminergic Systems of the Brain". In Lajtha A, Vizi ES (eds.). Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology. Boston, MA: Springer US. pp. 149–170. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-30382-6_7. ISBN 978-0-387-30351-2.
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