Encyclopedic Reference of Molecular Pharmacology

2004 Edition

Dopamine System

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29832-0_512
How to cite

James N. Oak, Hubert H.M. Van Tol

Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

james.oak@utoronto.ca; hubert.van.tol@utoronto.ca

Synonyms

Dopamine: 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine

Definition

The dopamine system constitutes the cellular and biochemical network that is involved in the synthesis, release and response to dopamine. In general this involves cells that express significant levels of  tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and limited amounts of dopamine β-hydroxylase (1). Dopamine-responsive cells express receptors specifically activated by this neurotransmitter, which are known as dopamine D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 receptors (2, 3).

 Anti-parkinson Drugs

 Antipsychotic Drugs

 Neurotransmitter Transporters

Characteristics and Basic Mechanisms

Anatomy and Function

Dopamine is one of the main neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS), but has also been reported to play a role in the periphery. In the CNS, dopamine-synthesizing neurons have been found in...
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References

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2004