Dopamine and its roles in the nervous system

Abstract

Dopamin je jedan od najvažnijih neuromodulatora i neurotransmitera, uz neurotransmitere kao što su serotonin, noradrenalin itd.. Jednostavne je kemijske strukture, spada u monoamine i katekolamine te služi kao prekursor u sintezi noradrenalina i adrenalina. Postoji 5 podtipova dopaminskih receptora koji se nalaze unutar grupe receptora vezanih s G proteinom i dijele se na skupine receptora D1 i D2. Djelovanje dopamina ovisit će o tome koji su receptori prisutni na membrani. Učinak može biti ekscitacijski ili inhibicijski. Dopaminergički sustav uključuje 4 glavna puta koja se nalaze unutar mozga te sudjeluje u regulaciji: motoričkih funkcija, emocija, radne memorije, endokrinih funkcija… U slučaju disfunkcionalnosti dopaminergičkih sustava i neurona, pojavljuju se poremećaji i bolesti poput shizofrenije, ADHD-a i Parkinsonove bolesti.Dopamine is one of the most important neuromodulators and neurotransmitters, alongside with neurotransmitters such as serotonin, noradrenalin etc. It has a simple chemical structure, is classified as monoamine and catecholamin and has a role as a precursor in the synthesis of noradrenaline and adrenaline. There are 5 subclasses of dopamine receptors inside the family of G-protein coupled receptors and they are divided into two subfamilies: D1-like family and D2-like family. The effect of dopamine will depend on which of these receptors are present in the membrane. It can have excitatorious or inhibitious effect on neuron cell. Dopaminergic system includes 4 main pathways which are located inside the brain and it takes part in regulation of: motoric functions, emotions, working memory, endocrine functions... In case of dysfunctionality of dopaminergic systems and neurons, there are disorders and diseases which may appear, such as schizophrenia, ADHD and Parkinson’s disease