Precursor molecule to dopamine?
Tyrosine
Where/how are dopamine molecules stored?
Stored in vesicles by VMAT2
Mechanism of dopamine synthesis and storage
DOPA decarboxylase (DDC)
Turns DOPA –> dopamine
tyrosine hydroxlyase (TOH)
converts tyrosine into DOPA
Mechanism of clearing dopamine once released from snaptic vesicles
receptor responsible for reuptake of dopamine from the synaptic terminal
DAT (dopamine transporter)
responsible for the breakdown of dopamine extracellularly
catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT)
What breaks down dopamine intracellularly and where does it happen?
monoamine oxidase A/B - located within mitochondria of the presynaptic neuron
Where is the majority of the dopamine produced? (what area of the brain)
substantia nigra
Ventral tegmentum also produces a small amount but majority is in the substantia
What dopamine pathway controls movement?
Nigrostriatal (substantia nigra to striatum) pathway
Nigrostriatal (substantia nigra to striatum) pathway
controls motor function and movement
What happens if the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway is dying or inhibited/blocked?
Parkinson-like symptoms
This is the pathway that is insufficient in Parkinsons disease
mesolimbic dopamine pathway
Midbrain ventral tegmental area –> nucleus accumbens
Controls behaviors such as:
Which dopamine pathway controls reward and perception?
mesolimbic dopamine pathway
Which pathway is associated with the mesolimbic dopamine pathway?
mesocortical dopamine pathway
Also projects from the midbrain ventral tegmental area, but sends axons to areas of the prefrontal cortex where they play roles in mediating symptoms of schizophrenia
mesocortical dopamine pathway
Projects from the midbrain ventral tegmental area, but sends axons to areas of the prefrontal cortex where they play roles in mediating symptoms of schizophrenia
Overall: controls executive function
Where does the mesocortical dopamine pathway project from and to?
From: ventral tegmental area
To:
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex – cognitive symptoms
ventromedial prefront cortex – affective symptoms
tuberoinfundibular dopamine pathway
projects from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland and controls prolactin secretion
Which dopamine pathway controls pituitary prolactin secretion?
tuberoinfundibular dopamine pathway
Major Dopamine pathways

What occurs if there is hypo/hyper functioning of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway?
Hypo – amotivation, apathy
Hyper – addiction, hallucinations
What occurs if there is hypo/hyper functioning of the mesocortical dopamine pathway?
Hypo – inattention
hyper – hypervigilance
What occurs if there is hypo/hyper functioning of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway?
Hypo – dyskinetic movement, parkinsonism
hyper – dyskinetic movement