Dopaminergic pathways
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'''Dopaminergic pathways''' are [[neural]] pathways in the [[brain]] which transmit the neurotransmitter [[dopamine]] from one region of the brain to another. There are eight dopaminergic [[neural pathway|pathways]], but the four major ones are:
* [[mesolimbic pathway]]
* [[mesocortical pathway]]
* [[nigrostriatal pathway]]
* [[tuberoinfundibular pathway]]
The mesolimbic pathway transmits dopamine from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the [[nucleus accumbens]]. The VTA is located in the midbrain, and the nucleus accumbens in the [[limbic system]]. The "meso-" [[Prefix (linguistics)|prefix]] in the word "mesolimbic" refers to the midbrain, or "middle brain", since "meso" means "middle" in [[Greek language|Greek]].
The mesocortical pathway transmits dopamine from the VTA to the [[frontal cortex]]. The "meso-" prefix in "mesocortical" refers to the VTA which is located in the midbrain, and "cortical" refers to the cortex. Malfunctions of the mesocortical pathway are associated with [[schizophrenia]].
The nigrostriatal pathway transmits dopamine from the [[substantia nigra]] to the [[striatum]]. This pathway is associated with motor control, and degeneration of this pathway is related to [[Parkinson's disease]].
The tuberoinfundibular pathway transmits dopamine from the [[hypothalamus]] to the [[pituitary gland]]. This pathway influences the secretion of certain [[hormone]]s, including [[prolactin]]. "Infundibular" in the word "tuberoinfundibular" refers to the [[infundibulum]] out of which the pituitary gland develops.
The neurons of the dopaminergic pathways have [[axon]]s which run the entire length of the pathway. The neuron's soma produces the dopamine, which is then transmitted via the projecting axons to their synaptic destinations.
==References==
* [http://www.thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/a/a_03/a_03_cl/a_03_cl_que/a_03_cl_que.html The Reward Circuit]. Part of "The Brain From Top To Bottom". The content of this page is [[copyleft]]ed and has been used in this article.
{{Neurotransmitter systems}}
[[Category:Central nervous system pathways]]