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Dopamine Pathway

Meaning

The Dopamine Pathway refers to the crucial network of interconnected neurons in the brain that utilize the catecholamine neurotransmitter dopamine to regulate a wide array of functions, including motivation, reward processing, pleasure, motor control, and higher-order executive function. These distinct neural circuits, particularly the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways, are fundamental components of the brain’s reinforcement and salience system. Dysregulation within these pathways is implicated in a spectrum of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including addiction and mood disorders.