Dopamine and Its Uses Neurotransmitter Helps transmit signals in brain and other vital areas Found in humans and animals including vertebrates and invertebrates Mainly inhibitory Involved in voluntary movement learning arousal and feelings of pleasure ID: 784946
Download The PPT/PDF document "Dopamine by Leila Burridge and Emily Li..." is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Dopamine
by Leila Burridge and Emily Little
Slide2Dopamine and It’s Uses
Neurotransmitter
Helps transmit signals in brain and other vital areas
Found in humans and animals, including vertebrates and invertebrates
Mainly inhibitory
Involved in voluntary movement, learning, arousal, and feelings of pleasure
Strongly determines motivation
Slide3Dopamine Production in the Brain
Produced naturally in the body
Found in the regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, motivation and the feeling of pleasure
Produced in the dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA)
Produced in the substantia nigra pars compacta
Produced in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus
Slide4What causes an Excess of Dopamine?
Internal Causes:
High levels of stress
Sleep quantity and quality
Food
External Causes:
Medications
Drug abuse of drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can lead to drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia
Nicotine
Slide5Effects of Excess Dopamine in Brain
Weak-willed, impulsive behaviour
Need for instant gratification
Lack of motivation
High levels of dopamine are found in patients with AD/HD
Suspicious personality, paranoia, withdrawal from social situations
Slide6What causes a Dopamine Deficiency?
Dopamine levels drop due to
Stress
Certain Antidepressants
Drug and Alcohol use
Poor nutrition
Lack of Sleep
Excessive Caffeine intake
Excessive Sugar intake
Slide7Effects of Dopamine Deficiency
Lack of Dopamine in the brain can cause
Onset of Parkinson's Disease
Restless Leg Syndrome
Creativity
Sleep Problems
Depression
Trouble Focusing
Slide8Arvid Carlsson
Researched dopamine extensively in the late 1950’s.
Showed that dopamine was a neurotransmitter in the brain and not just a precursor of norepinephrine.
Discovered that a lack of dopamine in some areas of the brain could disrupt pathways among nerves that control movement and motor functions.
This causes Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms: tremors, rigid muscles, speech changes, etc.
Carlsson developed a drug called levadopa (L-dopa) to treat Parkinson’s disease.
L-dopa transforms into dopamine in the brain and helps to relieve Parkinson’s symptoms.
Slide9Bibliography
http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Dopamine.aspx
http://www.news-medical.net/health/Dopamine-Functions.aspx
http://www.livestrong.com/article/195851-what-are-the-causes-of-low-dopamine-levels/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/73358-side-effects-lack-dopamine/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/50422-effects-low-dopamine-levels/
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5206277_causes-high-levels-dopamine_.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask#page=5
Haralambos, Michael, and David Rice.
Psychology in Focus.
Ormskirk: Causeway, 2000. Print.
Slide10Questions?