What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Journal of Computational Neurology: Dopamine and Idea Generation
- Journal of Computational Neurology: Dopamine and Idea Generation
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
How Dopamine Neurotransmitters Affect Behavior
Neurotransmitters and Neurons
The brain is made up of a large group of cells called neurons. Neurons are the functional unit of the brain and control all neurological processes, including thoughts and behavior. The nervous system is essentially a group of interconnected neurons. Neurons communicate with each other via small junctions called synapses. Neurons use special chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, to communicate across these synapses. Neurotransmitters are released by one neuron into the synapse and then bind to the other neurons. These neurotransmitters can either activate other neurotransmitters or cause them to be less active. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that can activate neurons in many different parts of the brain.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
- The brain is made up of a large group of cells called neurons.
- Neurons use special chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, to communicate across these synapses.
Dopamine and Schizophrenia
One of the functions of dopamine is to control thoughts and decision-making. Dopamine acts as a sort of a gatekeeper for which impulses and thoughts become conscious and can be acted upon. Neuron signals that result in high levels of dopamine are able to continue. A 2005 article in the "Journal of Computational Neurology" explains that dopamine is the driving force behind the generation of ideas and the creative drive 1.
Dr. Chudler at Washington University also explains how dopamine can be related to certain psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia 2. High levels of dopamine could, in theory, allow a flood of thoughts and impulses to flow throughout the brain, leading to the hallucinations and delusions that are a hallmark of schizophrenia. Many drugs that are used to treat schizophrenia (also known as antipsychotics) work by either lowering dopamine levels in the brain or blocking dopamine's effects.
- One of the functions of dopamine is to control thoughts and decision-making.
- A 2005 article in the "Journal of Computational Neurology" explains that dopamine is the driving force behind the generation of ideas and the creative drive 1.
Addiction
How Does Seroquel Affect the Brain?
Learn More
Aside from its role in overseeing thoughts, actions and behavior, dopamine also has a very important role in motivation. In June 2009, "Nature" published an article that helps detail this other function of dopamine. Dopamine-sensitive neurons are highly concentrated in a part of the brain called the substantia nigrans. This part of the brain controls the sensation of pleasure and motivation. Pleasurable sensations cause dopamine to be released in the brain, causing these neurons to become active. This mechanism underlies the euphoria that is caused by addiction to stimulants (such as amphetamines), narcotics, and alcohol. Use of these substances causes a sudden burst of dopamine to be released into the substantia nigrans, which communicates to the brain that something very pleasurable is occurring. This dopamine surge is also responsible for generating the high motivation for the procurement of more drugs or alcohol.
- Aside from its role in overseeing thoughts, actions and behavior, dopamine also has a very important role in motivation.
- Use of these substances causes a sudden burst of dopamine to be released into the substantia nigrans, which communicates to the brain that something very pleasurable is occurring.
Related Articles
References
- Journal of Computational Neurology: Dopamine and Idea Generation
- Dr. Chudler's Neuroscience For Kids: Schizophrenia
- Cohen, B.M. & Carlezon, W.A. (2007). Can't get enough of that dopamine. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(4):543-6.
- Friedel, R.O. (2004). Dopamine dysfunction in borderline personality disorder: a hypothesis. Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(6):1029-39.
- Ingenhoven, T.J., & Duivenvoorden, H.J. (2011). Differential effectiveness of antipsychotics in borderline personality disorder: meta-analysis of placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials on symptomatic outcome domains. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology,31(4):489-96.
- Siddiqui S.V., Chatterjee U., Kumar, D., Siddiqui A., & Goval, N. (2008). Neuropsychology of prefrontal cortex. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(3):202-8.
Writer Bio
Adam Cloe has been published in various scientific journals, including the "Journal of Biochemistry." He is currently a pathology resident at the University of Chicago. Cloe holds a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry from Boston University, a M.D. from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in pathology from the University of Chicago.