Welcome to the
Team Dopamine Home Page!


Introduction

Dopamine [C8H11NO2], a hormone-like substance, is an important neurotransmitter. When present in normal quantities, dopamine facilitates critical brain functions.

3D Model of dihydrexidine

Imbalanced dopamine activity can cause brain dysfunction and disease. Since the 1970s, scientists have studied the connections between dopamine malfunction and two major Central Nervous System disorder schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.

More recently, researchers have explored dopamine neurotransmission role in the abuse of drugs ranging from stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, to depressants, such as morphine and other opioids, and alcohol.


Picture of dopamine pathways in the brain.
Dopamine research has enhanced scientists' understanding of how diseases and addictions originate and develop. This understanding is leading to new treatment possibilities. Drugs which act primarily as dopamine receptor agonists or antagonists can serve as important clinical tools. Dopaminergic neurotransmission can mediate or modulate behaviors ranging from ambulation and stereotypy to self-stimulation, TOP conditioned avoidance responding, feeding and drinking.

Team Dopamine, an interdisciplinary group of senior scientists working at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Purdue University, share a common research interest in the mechanisms of dopamine neurotransmission. Team Dopamine is pooling their ongoing research on dopamine synaptic function, which may lead to the development of novel drugs and treatments.

Team Dopamine Overview
Team Dopamine Goals
Team Dopamine Researchers
Return to UNC-CH Neuroscience Pages

Comments or Questions?

Send an email to Team Dopamine.

This site created as a class project for INLS 181.