Dopaminergic involvement in the control of drinking behaviour: a brief review

This paper briefly reviews the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in thirst and drinking behaviour. Electrolytic lesions of the lateral hypothalamus or 6-OHDA lesions of the nigro-striatal DA pathway produce aphaghia and adipsia. Similarly, DA receptor blockade inhibits drinking whereas the administration of DA or DA agonists can facilitate drinking. The involvement of DA in thirst is discussed with respect to the mediation of the motivational and motor responses associated with drinking behaviour.