Dopaminergic pathways 673153 219582260 2008-06-15T23:07:04Z WhatamIdoing 1998764 Merge from dopamine pathway '''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]]