DOPAMINE:

THE PLEASURE HORMONE

By Anupama, Shruti, Sneha, Suhani, Swati
AGENDA
Discovery, synthesis, metabolism,
reuptake
Functions of Dopamine
Disorders of Dopamine
Dopamine Detox
DISCOVERY OF DOPAMINE
The discovery of dopamine was a collaborative effort involving
researchers from various disciplines, including pharmacology,
biochemistry, and neuroscience.

In the early 20th century, researchers were studying the compounds

involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain.
One such compound was tyrosine, an amino acid found in proteins.

In the 1930s, Swedish pharmacologist Arvid Carlsson and his colleagues

were investigating the metabolism of tyrosine. They discovered a new
compound called L-DOPA.
 DISCOVERY OF DOPAMINE
In the 1950s and 1960s, researchers
continued to study L-DOPA and its
derivatives. American pharmacologist
Oleh Hornykiewicz and his team, along
with Swedish scientist Arvid Carlsson,
independently identified and
characterized dopamine as a
neurotransmitter in the brain.
They found that dopamine was present in
certain regions of the brain, particularly
the basal ganglia and substantia nigra.
 DOPAMINE SYNTHESIS
Dopamine synthesis begins with the intake
of the amino acid tyrosine from various
protein-rich foods.
Tyrosine is converted into another
molecule called L-DOPA (L-3,4-
dihydroxyphenylalanine).
This conversion is catalyzed by the enzyme
tyrosine hydroxylase, which adds a
hydroxyl group (-OH) to tyrosine.
L-DOPA is then decarboxylated, this step is
facilitated by the enzyme aromatic L-amino
acid decarboxylase (AADC), also known as
DOPA decarboxylase.
The resulting product, dopamine, is then
stored in synaptic vesicles within the
neuron.
 STORAGE AND RELEASE
Dopamine is stored in synaptic vesicles within
neurons.
Upon neuronal stimulation, dopamine is released
into the synaptic cleft.
The synaptic cleft is the small gap between neurons
where neurotransmitters like dopamine exert their
effects.
 REUPTAKE
Dopamine Release
Dopamine Transporters
Reuptake Process
Regulation of Dopamine Reuptake
 METABOLISM

-Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) pathway

-Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) pathway
 EXCRETION
Metabolites of dopamine, such as DOPAC, HVA, and 3-MT,
are eventually excreted from the body.
Excretion primarily occurs through urine after further
processing by the liver and kidneys.
FUNCTIONS OF
DOPAMINE
Mood Regulation: Feelings of pleasure, reward,
motivation, and satisfaction.

Cognition and Attention: Attention, memory, and

problem-solving.

Reward and Reinforcement: reinforces behaviors by

signaling pleasure and satisfaction,
Movement Control: Regulate motor functions,
muscle contractions, and coordination.

Regulation of Hormones: Regulate the release of

certain hormones, including prolactin.

Sleep Regulation: Regulation of sleep-wake cycles

and wakefulness.
DOPAMINE RELATED
DISORDERS
Symptoms Associated with
Dopamine Imbalance
Avolition
Fatigue
Lack of Concentration
Tremors and
Restlessness

Anhedonia
Low sex drive
Depressed mood
Troubled sleep
The Pathways and Related Disorders
(Nestler et. al., 2001)
Nigrostriatal pathway: Parkinson's, Huntington's
chorea, Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID) ,
Schizophrenia (hallucinations), Tourette's
Mesolimbic pathway: Addiction, positive
symptoms of schizophrenia, digital media overuse,
ADHD (Ikemoto, 2010)
Mesocortical pathway: Psychotic and negative
features of schizophrenia
Tuberoinfundibular pathway: Hyperprolactinemia
Two other pathways: hypothalamospinal,
incertohypothalamic: restless leg syndrome and
tremors
 MEDICATIONS
Parkinson’s: Levodopa and
Carbidopa. Dopamine agonists:
Pramipexole, rotigotine,
ropinirole
LID: Reduced dosage,
Apomorphine
Chorea: Tetrabenazine,
deuterobenzene, Pridopidine
schizophrenia: Aripiprazole,
Asenapine
Tourette's and tremors: dopamine
blockers: fluphenazine, Pimozide,
Botulinum
Addiction: agonist: buprenorphine
and Naltrexone or Vivitrol
ADHD: Methylphenidate,
Lisdexamfetamine
Hyperprolactinemia: agonists:
Bromocriptine, lisuride,
Cabergoline.
RLS: iron supplements, gabapentin,
L-dopa+Carbidopa,
studies quoted in references
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME IN
MY DAILY LIFE?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
HOW CAN THIS INFORMATION HELP ME
IN MY DAILY LIFE ?
 REFERENCES
Chanson, P., Borson-Chazot, F., Chabre, O., & Estour, B. (2007). Drug treatment of hyperprolactinemia. Annales D’Endocrinologie, 68(2–3), 113–
117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ando.2007.03.003
Coppen, E. M., & Roos, R. A. (2016). Current pharmacological approaches to reduce chorea in Huntington’s Disease. Drugs, 77(1), 29–46.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-016-0670-4
Douaihy, A., Kelly, T. M., & Sullivan, C. R. (2013). Medications for substance use disorders. Social Work in Public Health, 28(3–4), 264–278.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2013.759031
Eddy, C. M., Rickards, H., & Cavanna, A. E. (2010). Treatment strategies for tics in Tourette syndrome. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological
Disorders (Print), 4(1), 25–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756285610390261
Ikemoto, S. (2010). Brain reward circuitry beyond the mesolimbic dopamine system: A neurobiological theory. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral
Reviews, 35(2), 129–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.02.001
Lv, Q., Wang, X., Asakawa, T., & Wang, X. (2021). Pharmacologic treatment of restless legs syndrome. Current Neuropharmacology, 19(3), 372–
382. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x19666201230150127
Nazarova, V. A., Соколов, А. В., Chubarev, V. N., Tarasov, V. V., & Schiöth, H. B. (2022). Treatment of ADHD: Drugs, psychological therapies,
devices, complementary and alternative methods as well as the trends in clinical trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1066988
Nestler, E. J., Hyman, S. E., Holtzman, D. M., & Malenka, R. C. (2001). Molecular Neuropharmacology: a foundation for clinical neuroscience.
http://elibraryfk.unjani.ac.id/elibrary/index.php?p=show_detail&id=71673
Pandey, S., & Srivanitchapoom, P. (2017). Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: Clinical features, pathophysiology, and medical management. Annals of
Indian Academy of Neurology, 20(3), 190. https://doi.org/10.4103/aian.aian_239_17
Patel, K., Cherian, J., Gohil, K., & Atkinson, D. (2014). Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options. PubMed.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25210417
Restless legs Syndrome. (n.d.). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-
information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome.
THANK YOU