Dopamine News and Research

RSS

Dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter occurring in a wide variety of animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. In the brain, this phenethylamine functions as a neurotransmitter, activating the five types of dopamine receptors — D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, and their variants. Dopamine is produced in several areas of the brain, including the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area. 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. Dopamine has many functions in the brain, including important roles in behavior and cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward, inhibition of prolactin production (involved in lactation), sleep, mood, attention, and learning. Dopaminergic neurons (i.e., neurons whose primary neurotransmitter is dopamine) are present chiefly in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain, substantia nigra pars compacta, and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Researchers find a promising drug candidate for the treatment of ALS

A research group at the University of Helsinki and its partners have found a promising drug candidate for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

22 Sep 2023

Transforming postpartum depression treatment with neurosteroids

A new study in Neuropsychopharmacology delves into the mechanisms of action of brexanolone, the first FDA-approved, rapid-acting antidepressant specifically for postpartum depression (PPD). The research highlights brexanolone's potential anti-inflammatory effects and its impact on GABAA receptors, offering insights into its efficacy and suggesting avenues for further study.

19 Sep 2023

Researchers identify new blood marker for dopamine system damage

The marker in question is called DOPA decarboxylase (DCC). In the current study, DCC was found to be elevated in individuals with Parkinson's disease as well as in people with other diseases that result in dopamine deficiency in the brain. However, the marker was normal in other brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The researchers even noticed that DCC was elevated in individuals with Parkinson's many years before they developed any symptoms.

19 Sep 2023

Gaining new insights into neurological diseases by studying circular RNAs in brain cells

Researchers are gaining new insights into neurological diseases by studying circular RNAs (circRNAs) in brain cells.

19 Sep 2023

Study upends common belief in what triggers Parkinson's disease

A new Northwestern Medicine study challenges a common belief in what triggers Parkinson's disease.

15 Sep 2023

New genetic test reveals a person’s predisposition to happiness

Your happiness levels aren't only based on external events. Genome testing can reveal how happy and optimistic you are predisposed to be. A leading testing expert reveals how variations of a key gene, CNR1, may have a significant impact on your level of happiness.

15 Sep 2023

Are energy drinks putting your heart and mind at risk?

Comprehensive review finds energy drinks linked to range of health risks, from cardiac arrhythmias to mental health issues. Researchers call for strict regulations on their consumption, especially among minors and pregnant women.

12 Sep 2023

Study identifies cellular processes that likely lead to Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease, characterized by various motor dysfunctions, is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world. It is known that specific gene mutations that are passed down through families are responsible for some cases of Parkinson's disease.

11 Sep 2023

Can fluctuating reproductive hormone levels cause mental health conditions?

The association between mental health and fluctuations in reproductive hormone levels.

11 Sep 2023

FAU researchers discover novel method to identify therapeutic agents to treat addiction

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 40 million people in the United States had a substance use disorder in 2020.

8 Sep 2023

Specialized astrocyte subpopulation discovery sheds light on brain health and treatment avenues

In a recent study published in Nature, researchers investigated whether glutamatergic gliotransmission was mediated by specialized astrocytes in the central nervous system.

7 Sep 2023

Could marine plasmalogens be the secret weapon to fight Alzheimer's and Parkinson's?

The research paper reviews the potential benefits of marine plasmalogens, a type of glycerophospholipid, in combating age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These compounds, abundant in marine resources, could improve lipid metabolism and reduce oxidative stress, offering a new avenue for improving the quality of life in aging populations.

3 Sep 2023

ADHD drug could serve as a cocaine-replacement therapy

Cocaine use continues to be a public health problem, yet despite concerted efforts, no drugs have been approved to resolve cocaine addiction. Research suggests that the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin) could serve as a cocaine-replacement therapy, but clinical results have been mixed.

30 Aug 2023