Dopamine

Welcome to the most hyped club of the century! Here you’re welcome to hit it off at the dance floor or cool down in the chill room. Intensify you club experience with 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or what is better known as ecstasy. Let’s get down to business and talk about the popularity of this drug, along with its destructive nature. Zooming into the brain, neurons release chemical substances that are called neurotransmitters. These chemicals are responsible for daily life and…

confirm the diagnosis of PD. Therefore, the progressive decline of motor function accompanied by tremors and rigidity is crucial during diagnosis of the disease (Foster & Zink, 2017, p. 761). Observing the patient on a trial dopamine medication, such as Levodopa or Dopamine antagonist can also help aid in the diagnosis of PD.…

as dopamine releasers that elevate levels of dopamine in the synaptic cleft, the space between neurons at a nerve synapse, by four distinct mechanisms. The primary mechanism involves amphetamine acting as a substrate for dopamine transporters. The transporters are responsible for pumping dopamine out of the synaptic cleft back into the cytoplasm of presynaptic neurons. The binding of amphetamines to dopamine transporters, inhibit dopamine uptake resulting in a larger concentration of dopamine…

Specialized chemicals known as neurotransmitters carry signals across synapses. Each neurotransmitter is linked with particular effects depending on the distribution of each neurotransmitter among the brain's numerous functional areas. For example, dopamine is highly concentrated in regions that regulate motivation and feelings of reward (Dombeck, 2002). A neurotransmitter's impact also depends on whether it stimulates or decreases activity in its target neurons. Drugs make their effects by…

From a Nursing standpoint, after watching both documentaries, it is extremely difficult for me to find an argument opposing the legalization of medical marijuana. As a Nurse, I am a patient advocate and I feel that marijuana has incalculable medical benefits. I most defiantly shed a few tears while watching these families who had run out of options for their children; with the exception of marijuana. I cannot even fathom the thought of giving my own child marijuana. Although, if I felt it would…

Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, also referred to as PANDAS or more commonly, Post Strep Infection. Among other issues that I can have, it leaves my dopamine completely unregulated, causing random spikes, which can cause me to be irritable about very small things. Dopamine not only creates positive emotions, it also is what gives us interest, motives, and the drive to do something. It also is used in natural muscle movements, and has a large part in…

is actually a variant of the promoter region of the gene, coding for a less active MAOA enzyme. Since this enzyme hangs out inside cells and breaks down neurotransmitters, having less active MAOA means more neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) are available, which might be protective against depression (the results are mixed), but it is also possible it could lead to more impulsive and violent behavior. Over the years, the controversy around the “warrior gene”…

There are two types of categories that divide antipsychotic medications. The first generation is typical, that blocks dopamine from having contact with the brain. The second generation is atypical, that also blocks dopamine from the brain while affecting serotonin levels. Blocked dopamine helps with psychosis that reduces delusions or voices being heard. Antipsychotics treats patients that suffer from paranoia, dissociation, and agitation. In 2003, a…

This depressant class drug is the most commonly used substance in society and when abused like any other substance, can affect the dopamine receptor that provides stimulus to the reward pathway of the brain. As such, alcohol was used as a pain killer before the wide spread use of opiates. Other drugs within this class like benzodiazepines, non- benzodiazepines sleep medications, and…

Professionals face a number of challenges when diagnosing ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder, especially when it comes to diagnosis and treatment in very young children. Currently, many believe that it is not possible to diagnose children under 5 years old with ADHD, as part of the diagnostic criteria includes “age inappropriate inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity” (Dias, 1999, p. 40). However, the question for children under 5 years old is, can inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and…