Dopamine (Noun)
Meaning
A monoamine neurotransmitter found in the brain and essential for the normal functioning of the central nervous system; as a drug (trade names Dopastat and Intropin) it is used to treat shock and hypotension.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Dopamine is often referred to as the "pleasure molecule" because of its role in the brain's reward and pleasure centers.
- The patient was administered dopamine intravenously to help increase their blood pressure and treat the shock.
- Research has shown that dopamine levels in the brain can affect a person's motivation and ability to experience pleasure.
- The doctor explained that the patient's low dopamine levels were likely contributing to their depression and fatigue.
- Dopamine is also involved in the regulation of movement, and imbalances in dopamine have been linked to conditions such as Parkinson's disease.