What Is Dopamine | Microschool ONL

Dopamine is a neuromodulatory molecule that plays a crucial role in cells, functioning as a hormone and neurotransmitter. Dopamine is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine and is a type of catecholamine and phenethylamine, with a chemical structure composed of nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms. The brain's dopamine system is closely linked to the reward system, which is influenced by dopamine receptors and dopamine transporters. Dopamine release and uptake are regulated by distinct pathways in the brain, including the mesolimbic pathway and the nigrostriatal pathway.