dopaminergic system/tract

System of neurons that employ dopamine as a neurotransmitter &/or use dopaminergic receptors at their synapses. Dopamine receptors in the caudate nucleus facilitate posture, those in the nucleus accumbens movement & pleasure. There are 4 major dopaminergic systems/tracts in the brain 1) nigrostriatal system a) substantia nigra to striatum b) accounts for most dopaminergic synapses c) lost in Parkinson's disease 2) tuberoinfundibular system a) arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus to the pituitary stalk b) controls release of prolactin 3) mesolimbic system - ventral tegmental area to limbic system 4) mesocortical system - ventral tegmental area to the neocortex, especially prefrontal area

Related

dopamine (Inotropin, Dopastat) dopamine receptor dopaminergic

Specific

mesocortical system/tract mesolimbic system nigrostiatal system/tract tuberoinfundibular system/tract

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999