Dopaminergic 2412761 173659151 2007-11-25T10:30:57Z Mikael Häggström 2615838 /* See also */ +receptor '''Dopaminergic''' means "related to the [[neurotransmitter]] [[dopamine]]". A [[synapse]] is dopaminergic if it uses dopamine as its neurotransmitter. A substance is dopaminergic if it is capable of producing, altering, or releasing [[dopamine]]. A dopaminergic, or '''dopaminergic agent''', is any [[chemical]] which functions to enhance the effects mediated by dopamine in the [[central nervous system]]. These include dopamine [[wiktionary:Precursor|precursor]]s and [[cofactor]]s, dopaminergic [[enzyme]]s, as well as [[dopamine reuptake inhibitor]]s. ====Dopaminergics==== [[Dopaminergic|Dopaminergics]] are substances that affect the neurotransmitter [[dopamine]] or the components of the nervous system that use dopamine. Dopamine is produced in the synthesis of all [[catecholamine]] neurotransmitters, and is the rate limiting step for this synthesis. Dopaminergic nootropics include dopamine precursors and cofactors, agonists, MAOIs, and [[dopamine reuptake inhibitors]]: * [[L-dopa]] - Prescription drug. Precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, anti-depressant. * [[Phenylalanine]] (requires [[Vitamin B6]] and [[Vitamin C]]) - [[Essential amino acid]]. Precursor to dopamine, anti-depressant, sleep reducer. * [[Theanine]] - Found in tea. Increases serotonin, [[GABA]] and dopamine levels in the brain. Increases alpha-wave based alert relaxation. * [[Tyrosine]] (requires Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C) - [[Amino acid]]. Precursor to dopamine, anti-depressant, sleep reducer. * [[Vitamin C]]- improves cardiovascular elasticity and integrity, membrane stabilizer and major anti-oxidant (protects brain cells and prevents brain cell death), cofactor in the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and [[serotonin]]. * [[Vitamin B6]] - co-factor used by the body to produce dopamine. * [[Yohimbe]] - Bark. Boosts dopamine levels as much as 80%{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, though how it does this is not yet understood. Aphrodisiac. Yohimbe poses some health risks through its side-effects: it is a neuro-paralytic which slows down breathing and induces [[acidosis]], some symptoms of which are malaise, nausea, and vomiting. Contraindicated for users of megadoses of acidic vitamins or nutrients. * [[MAOI]]s such as [[Selegiline]] which inhibits [[MAO-B]] (an enzyme that breaks down dopamine) thus raising dopamine by partially inhibiting its breakdown. (In large doses it also inhibits MAO-A) * [[Tolcapone]] - Inhibits [[COMT]] (an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) and increases performance in tasks depending on [[working memory]] in individuals with the val/val and val/met genotype of the val158Met polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene, while decreasing it in presence of the met/met version. Tolcapone presents the risk of deadly side effects. * [[Buproprion]] atypical antidepressant. Dopamine reuptake inhibitor. * [[Dopamine agonists]] such as [[pergolide]] ==See also== * [[dopamine receptor]] * [[Cholinergic]] * [[Neurotransmitter]] * [[Nootropic]] * [[Serotonergic]] [[Category:Parasympathetic nervous system]] [[Category:Nervous system]] [[Category:Neurochemistry]] [[Category:Neurotransmitters]] [[de:Dopaminergen]]