Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) tracers selective for pre- and post-synaptic targets have allowed measurements of several aspects of dopaminergic (DA) neurotransmission. In this article, we will first review our DA transporter imaging in Parkinson's disease. We have developed the in vivo dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging with [123I]beta-CIT ((1R)-2beta-Carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-...

The impact of serotonergic neurotransmission on brain dopaminergic pathways has substantial relevance to many neuropsychiatric disorders. A particularly prominent role has been ascribed to the inhibitory effects of serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT(2C)R) activation on physiology and behavior mediated by the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, particularly in the terminal region of the nucleus accumbens....

During neural development, spatially regulated expression of specific transcription factors is crucial for central nervous system (CNS) regionalization, generation of neural precursors (NPs) and subsequent differentiation of specific cell types within defined regions. A critical role in dopaminergic differentiation in the midbrain (MB) has been assigned to the transcription factor Nurr1. Nurr1 ...

Dopamine (DA) receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) exert powerful effects on cognition by modulating the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. The present study examined the impact of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure on cognitive function and DA receptor-mediated neurotransmission in the rat mPFC. Consistent with alterations in executive function in...

Although neuroleptics, prescribed for psychiatric conditions, are by far the commonest drugs known to produce acute dystonia, other drugs such as prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, tetrabenazine etc., prescribed for non-psychiatric conditions, are also known to produce this side effect the common factor is the ability of the drug to produce a central inhibition of dopaminergic neurotransmission....

According to the available data, lead affects cholinergic and dopaminergic pathways, thereby preventing normal functioning of neurotransmission. Based on analysis existing literature, results help us study define a wide range symptoms poisoning. Children absorb well orally (-50%), adults relatively poorly (-10%). The content is often quite high in toys, food products, regions close lead-based f...

Individuals with schizophrenia are often treated with medications that block dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. Chronic administration of many DA antagonists alters dopaminergic function, causing a supersensitivity to DA agonists. Because the DA agonist properties of cocaine seem to be involved in its behavioral effects, chronic DA antagonist treatments may enhance these effects of cocaine. This ...

Updating of working memory has been associated with striato-frontal brain regions and phasic dopaminergic neurotransmission. We assessed raclopride binding to striatal dopamine (DA) D2 receptors during a letter-updating task and a control condition before and after 5 weeks of updating training. Results showed that updating affected DA activity before training and that training further increased...

Rhes is one of the most interesting genes regulated by thyroid hormones that, through inhibition striatal cAMP/PKA pathway, acts as a modulator dopamine neurotransmission. mRNA expressed at high levels in dorsal striatum, with medial-to-lateral expression gradient reflecting that both D2 and adenosine A2A receptors. transcript also present hippocampus, cerebral cortex, olfactory tubercle bulb, ...