dopamine

[ doh-puh-meen ]

noun

1. Biochemistry. a catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, retina, and sympathetic ganglia, acting within the brain to help regulate movement and emotion: its depletion may cause Parkinson's disease. Compare dopa.
2. Pharmacology. a dopamine preparation used to increase the force of contraction of the heart in the treatment of shock.

dopamine

/ ˈdɒpəmɪn /

noun

1. a chemical found in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter and is an intermediate compound in the synthesis of noradrenaline. Formula: (HO) 2 C 6 H 3 (CH 2 ) 2 NH 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of dopamine¹

First recorded in 1955–60; dopa, amine

Word History and Origins

Origin of dopamine¹

from d ( ihydr ) o ( xy ) p ( henylethyl ) amine

Example Sentences

Dancing 12 hours a day, half-naked in front of a crew was unexpectedly a “dopamine hit” for him.

From Los Angeles Times

In a follow-up experiment, the researchers implanted tiny sensors in the animals' brains and measured heightened dopamine release, accompanied by activity in neurons that over-represented opioid-related cues, in the rats exhibiting strong addiction-like behaviors.

From Science Daily

THC caused certain brain cells, called dopamine neurons, to respond in a hyperactive way, causing a heightened increase in dopamine release.

From Science Daily

This illustration shows that male animals exposed to THC in the womb experience a greater surge in the "reward-seeking" brain chemical dopamine when exposed to opioid drugs as adolescents compared to those that were never exposed to THC.

From Science Daily

Dr. Cheer's previous work published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found prenatal exposure to THC makes the brain's dopamine neurons hyperactive, which may contribute to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.

From Science Daily