last updated 19-03-2024

Dopamine neurons

Dopamine neurons (DA) in the brain

The source nuclei for the dopaminergic neurons are located in a specific region of the brain, the basal ganglia. Dopaminergic neurons are widely distributed throughout the brain in four important dopamine systems (pathways). Since understanding the difference between these neuronal tracts is important for psychopharmacology, these tracts are explained separately: mesolimbic tract, mesocortical tract, nigrostriatal tract and tuberoinfundibular tract.

 

A decreased dopamine concentration in the brain is a contributing factor in Parkinson’s disease, while an increase in dopamine concentration has a role in the development of schizophrenia.