Dopamine

Side effects and symptoms of dopamine agonist medications can be presently seen in a person within six weeks of taking the medication (Drugs 2). The drug Levodopa is thought to be the most effective drug for controlling the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but Levodopa has not been shown to slow disease progression. Taking this medication is supposed to delay the symptoms of PD, but it could even make it worse. Additionally, the drug has significant abnormal side effects for some patients such…

Alcohol has a significant effect on the brain, acting on neurons and various neurochemicals. It can modify cell membranes, along with their ion channels, enzymes and receptors. Alcohols’ effect on the central nervous system (CNS) is largely due to its action on different neurotransmitters. A major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Alcohol amplifies the effect of GABA by binding to and stimulating GABA receptors, causing the opening of…

There are a wide range of explanations for schizophrenia (SZ), ranging from genetics to psychodynamic approaches. These theories can be grouped into two categories; biological and psychological. These two explanations have many differences such as their fundamental basis, treatments and methodology, but also have several similarities. This essay will outline, then compare and contrast various theories within the biological and psychological explanations. One aspect of the psychological…

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the section of the brain that produces dopamine. Dopamine, a chemical that behaves as a neurotransmitter, is necessary for the body because it sends signals to nerve cells; the dopamine’s job is to help control body movements. Therefore, when a person has Parkinson’s disease, they are not producing dopamine well, and as a result, cannot control their body movements, and have other restrictions as well. Most commonly, the symptoms…

term alcohol abuse results in structural and functional changes in the brain, neuropharmacological reports suggest a neurological basis for alcohol addiction and abuse; dopamine neurotransmitter release in the region of the nuceaus accumbens has played a role in reinforcement (Di Chiara & Imperato, 1988 ). The release in of dopamine in the brain elicits a positive sensation which results in reward and reinforcement of repeated alcohol and drug use. Drugs of abuse and palatable foods containing…

Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by tapping into its communication system and interfering with the way neurons normally send, receive, and process information. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter. Drugs that enter the blood stream have faster and definitely more intense effects. The more directly the drug enters the bloodstream determines how fast and intense the drug will take effect.…

regarding the complexities of the human brain. However, the monoamine theory, hypothesizes that a predisposition to depression can occur in individuals whose serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine have been depleted (Bunney & Davis 1965; Delgado 2000; Hirschfield 2000) Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood, focus and motivation by carrying chemical signals from one part of the brain to another, however, in depressed patients, these signals…

administration the time it takes to affect the body will vary. Eventually the drug gets distributed to the rest of the body via the bloodstream. This stimulant, when abused, can wreak havoc on the brain and body because it increases the synaptic levels of dopamine, serotonin (5-HT), and norepinephrine and has adrenergic agonist effects. It affects the entire body through the loss of hair, to irregular heartbeat, and finally to involuntary muscle spasms. Meth is metabolized through the liver and…

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic disorder that causes progressive movement debilitation. It has been found that this progressive impairment is due to deterioration of neurons in the substantia nigra; this consequently suppresses the production of dopamine. Because this chemical messenger is what initiates movement, those that suffer from Parkinson’s experience symptoms such as tremors, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. Parkinson’s research also focuses on the protein…

responsible for creating a brain environment more favorable to long attention spans. Primarily, the catecholamine neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine have been targeted as being responsible and manipulating the levels of…