The role of the neurotransmitter Dopamine upon behaviour
Neurotransmitters are molecules which communicate information between neurons and their target cells across small biological junctions, called chemical synaptic (Comer, 2013). Within the brain there are many different neurotransmitters which send different electrical signals to other areas within the brain, which control many different functions of the human body. Dopamine is commonly associated with the feelings of pleasure, this is because dopamine is the main chemical which causes individuals to behave in a certain way to pursue pleasure (Carlsson,2002). Within this assignment the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine upon behaviour will be discussed and studies given of how levels …show more content…
Even though there have been many studies already carried out regarding these effects and the use of different medications which have an effect upon the dopamine neurons and receptors there are still many more studies being carried to find new ways to alleviate the symptoms in which those with abnormal activations of neurotransmitter dopamine, and to gain a better understanding of why there are these abnormalities within the brain. It has also been found that even though some disorders display the same types of symptoms such as attention deficits hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia the use of medication to minimise the symptoms are not the same even though they both can be used to block the reuptake of dopamine into the dopamine neuron even though one type of medication is a stimulant which activates the dopamine neuron which increases the levels of dopamine in the brain and the other is a blocker which lowers the levels of dopamine this is due to there being other neurotransmitters which are involved with behaviour and abnormal behaviours. Many of the studies which have already been carried out have been on animals such as mice, rats and monkeys as well as humans. Because the neurotransmitter can send electrical signals to communicate with areas of the brain which control the rewarded-learning, motivation, motor cognition, speech, movement dopamine is activated every two seconds but heightens as the behaviour of seeking pleasure is
Neurotransmitters are molecules which communicate information between neurons and their target cells across small biological junctions, called chemical synaptic (Comer, 2013). Within the brain there are many different neurotransmitters which send different electrical signals to other areas within the brain, which control many different functions of the human body. Dopamine is commonly associated with the feelings of pleasure, this is because dopamine is the main chemical which causes individuals to behave in a certain way to pursue pleasure (Carlsson,2002). Within this assignment the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine upon behaviour will be discussed and studies given of how levels …show more content…
Even though there have been many studies already carried out regarding these effects and the use of different medications which have an effect upon the dopamine neurons and receptors there are still many more studies being carried to find new ways to alleviate the symptoms in which those with abnormal activations of neurotransmitter dopamine, and to gain a better understanding of why there are these abnormalities within the brain. It has also been found that even though some disorders display the same types of symptoms such as attention deficits hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia the use of medication to minimise the symptoms are not the same even though they both can be used to block the reuptake of dopamine into the dopamine neuron even though one type of medication is a stimulant which activates the dopamine neuron which increases the levels of dopamine in the brain and the other is a blocker which lowers the levels of dopamine this is due to there being other neurotransmitters which are involved with behaviour and abnormal behaviours. Many of the studies which have already been carried out have been on animals such as mice, rats and monkeys as well as humans. Because the neurotransmitter can send electrical signals to communicate with areas of the brain which control the rewarded-learning, motivation, motor cognition, speech, movement dopamine is activated every two seconds but heightens as the behaviour of seeking pleasure is