Dopamine: Far more than just the 'happy hormone' -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831085320.

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Date: August 31, 2016 New Principle for Brain-Controlled

Hormone Secretion
Source: Medical University of Vienna

Summary: Dopamine is a so-called messenger substance or neurotransmitter that conveys signals Apr. 14, 2016 — The concentration of the
between neurons. It not only controls mental and emotional responses but also motor hormone prolactin in the blood is controlled by
reactions. Dopamine is particularly known as being the "happy hormone." It is dopamine. However, the system can be thrown
responsible for our experiencing happiness. Even so-called adrenaline rushes, such as off balance by certain drugs, especially
those experienced when playing sport, are based on the same pattern. Adrenaline is a antipsychotics, which can result in ...
close relative of dopamine. However, serious health problems can arise if too little or too read more
much dopamine is being produced. If too few dopamine molecules are released,
Parkinson's disease can develop, while an excess can lead to mania, hallucinations and Researchers Uncover How Dopamine Transports
schizophrenia. Within the Brain
Jan. 25, 2016 — The mechanics of how
Share: dopamine transports into and out of brain cells
has been uncovered by researchers, a finding
that could someday lead to more effective
RELATED TOPICS FULL STORY
treatment of drug addictions and ... read more

Health & Medicine Hunting Down Trigger for

Dopamine is a so-called messenger substance or Parkinson's: Failing Dopamine
Controlled Substances neurotransmitter that conveys signals between neu- Pump Damages Brain Cells
rons. It not only controls mental and emotional re- June 16, 2014 — The function of an intracellular

1 of 5 05/09/2016 11:07
Dopamine: Far more than just the 'happy hormone' -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831085320.htm

Restless Leg Syndrome sponses but also motor reactions. Dopamine is par- dopamine pump in Parkinson’s patients has been
compared to a healthy test group in a new study.
Pharmacology ticularly known as being the "happy hormone." It is
Researchers found out that this pump is less
responsible for our experiencing happiness. Even effective at pumping ... read more
Mind & Brain
so-called adrenaline rushes, such as those experi-
Two Dimensions of Value:
Parkinson's enced when playing sport, are based on the same Dopamine Neurons Represent
Schizophrenia pattern. Adrenaline is a close relative of dopamine. Reward but Not Aversiveness
However, serious health problems can arise if too Aug. 1, 2013 — The experiments reported here
Insomnia
little or too much dopamine is being produced. If too show that dopamine neurons are sensitive to the
few dopamine molecules are released, Parkinson's value of reward but not punishment (like the
RELATED TERMS aversiveness of a bitter taste). This demonstrates
disease can develop, while an excess can lead to
that reward and ... read more
Dopamine mania, hallucinations and schizophrenia.
Dopamine hypothesis of Strange & Offbeat
"Dopamine release is also responsible for people becoming ad-
schizophrenia dicted, in that they are always seeking pleasure, so that they can
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Neurotransmitter reach higher and higher dopamine levels," explains Harald Sitte of
MedUni Vienna's Institute of Pharmacology, speaking on the occa- Placenta in Females, Muscle Mass
Schizophrenia sion of the Dopamine 2016 conference, which is taking place next in Males: Dual Heritage of a Virus

Emotion week on the Vienna University campus and at MedUni Vienna's

Center for Brain Research. "Dopamine is the reason why a lot of
Epinephrine Engineers Develop a Plastic
people are constantly seeking to satisfy their cravings."
Clothing Material That Cools the
According to Matthäus Willeit of MedUni Vienna's Department of Skin
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, who is organising the Dopamine
conference together with Harald Sitte, "excessive dopamine re- World’s First Ciliary Stroke Motion
Microrobots
lease at the wrong moment can cause insignificant things to take
on an unwarranted significance. This can even result in mania,
hallucinations or even schizophrenia." It is not yet clear how this
Ethical Concerns Tied to Research on Human-
excessive release occurs and specific research is being conducted Animal Embryos
at MedUni Vienna to find out.
MIND & BRAIN
However, Oleh Hornykiewicz of the Center for Brain Research at
Brain Perceives Taste With All Senses, Scientific
MedUni Vienna has managed to explain one cause of Parkinson's Evidence Reveals
disease: The working group led by the multiple award-winning sci-

2 of 5 05/09/2016 11:07
Dopamine: Far more than just the 'happy hormone' -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831085320.htm

entist found a lack of dopamine in certain areas of the brain and

identified it as the trigger for the disease. Sitte explains that
Hornykiewicz was also able to show that one cannot simply "top
up" dopamine, whereupon he developed a sort of "precursor
Amputees' Brains Remember
top-up," Levodopa (L-Dopa), a precursor of dopamine. This serves Missing Hands Even Years Later
to increase the dopamine concentration in the cerebral basal cells.

Systems Biology Research Study

Story Source: Reveals Benefits of Vacation,
Meditation
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Medical
University of Vienna. Note: Content may be edited for style and Scientists Use Ultrasound to
length. Jump-Start a Man's Brain After
Coma

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