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Dopamine

Dopamine. by Leila Burridge and Emily Little. 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

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Dopamine

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  1. Dopamine by Leila Burridge and Emily Little

  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 • Nicotine

  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.

  10. Questions?

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