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Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis01:29

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis

Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase, which converts...
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action01:26

Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action

Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake01:21

Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake

Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...
Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:27

Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...

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Dopamine Release at Individual Presynaptic Terminals Visualized with FFNs
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Published on: August 31, 2009

Getting specialized: presynaptic and postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors.

Claudia De Mei1, Maria Ramos, Chisato Iitaka

  • 1University of California Irvine, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 3113 Gillespie NRF, Irvine, CA 92617 USA.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|January 14, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Dopamine (DA) signaling impacts movement and addiction. New research clarifies how D2 receptors (D2Rs) and their isoforms control neuronal function, advancing our understanding of DA

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Identification of Dopamine D1-Alpha Receptor Within Rodent Nucleus Accumbens by an Innovative RNA In Situ Detection Technology
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Presynaptic Dopamine Dynamics in Striatal Brain Slices with Fast-scan Cyclic Voltammetry
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Presynaptic Dopamine Dynamics in Striatal Brain Slices with Fast-scan Cyclic Voltammetry

Published on: January 12, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Dopamine (DA) is crucial for locomotion, hormone secretion, and addiction.
  • DA signaling affects neurons via various receptors, but coordinated responses are not fully understood.
  • Dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) exhibit complex presynaptic and postsynaptic functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the intricate roles of D2 receptor localization and isoforms in dopamine signaling.
  • To enhance understanding of how dopamine modulates neuronal physiology.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized knockout mouse models to investigate D2 receptor functions.
  • Examined site- and isoform-specific effects of D2Rs.

Main Results:

  • Distinguished the distinct physiological contributions of D2 receptor presynaptic and postsynaptic actions.
  • Identified differential roles of D2 receptor isoforms in mediating dopamine's effects.
  • Provided insights into the orchestration of neuronal responses to dopamine.

Conclusions:

  • D2 receptor localization and isoform diversity are key determinants of dopamine's physiological and behavioral outcomes.
  • Understanding D2 receptor complexity is vital for deciphering dopamine's role in normal function and addiction.
  • This research clarifies dopamine modulation of neuronal physiology.