- dopamine
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/doh"peuh meen'/, n.1. Biochem. a catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, retina, and sympathetic ganglia, acting within the brain to help regulate movement and emotion: its depletion may cause Parkinson's disease. Cf. dopa.2. Pharm. a dopamine preparation used to increase the force of contraction of the heart in the treatment of shock. Cf. levodopa.[1955-60; see DOPA, AMINE]
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Through a series of enzymatic reactions (see enzyme) it is formed from levodopa and converted to norepinephrine and then epinephrine. It is a central nervous system neurotransmitter essential to control of motion; it also acts as a hormone. Degeneration of certain dopamine-producing brain cells results in parkinsonism.* * *
also called Hydroxytyramine,a nitrogen-containing organic compound formed as an intermediate compound from dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) during the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine. It is the precursor of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. Dopamine also functions as a neurotransmitter—primarily by inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulses—in the substantia nigra, basal ganglia, and corpus striatum of the brain. A deficiency of dopamine results in Parkinson's disease (parkinsonism) (q.v.).* * *
Universalium. 2010.