2. Dopamine 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
3. Dopamine 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
4. What 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
5. Effects 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
6. What 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
7. Effects 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
8. Arvid 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.
9. Bibliography
● 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.
