Dopaminergics

Dopaminergics are a class of drugs that affect the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. This neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in various neurological functions, including movement control, mood regulation, learning, motivation, and reward. As such, dopaminergics find therapeutic applications in several neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, depression, and addiction. The most commonly known dopaminergic drug is levodopa, which is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This drug is converted into dopamine in the brain, which compensates for the reduced levels of dopamine in the affected brain region. Other dopaminergic drugs used in Parkinson's disease include dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole and ropinirole, which stimulate dopamine receptors in the brain, thereby reducing the symptoms of the disease. Dopaminergic drugs are also used in the treatment of schizophrenia, a disorder characterized by altered perception, thought, and behavior. In this case, the dopaminergics block the action of dopamine in the brain, thereby reducing the positive symptoms of the disease, such as hallucinations and delusions. Apart from their therapeutic applications, dopaminergics also find use in enhancing cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and motivation. This makes them potential candidates for the treatment of cognitive disorders like ADHD and Alzheimer's disease. Although dopaminergic drugs have several benefits, they also have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and dyskinesia. Therefore, these drugs should be used under the supervision of a medical professional, who can monitor their use and adjust the dosage accordingly.


From: Journal of Neurological Research And Therapy

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Editor-in-chief: Zheng Jiang, Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Publication Type: Open Access Journal
Description: The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up the nervous system. Together they control all the workings of the body. When something goes wrong with a part of your nervous system, you can have trouble moving, speaking, swallowing, breathing, or learning. You can also have problems with your memory, senses, or mood.