THE MOOD ELEVATOR: DOPAMINE

Dopamine

The neurochemical, dopamine is produced in the neurons of the brain from a precursor known as L-Dopa. It is a contraction of 3,4 dohydroxyphenethylamine.

Dopamine has been nicknamed feel-good neurotransmitter owing to its mood-elevating effect on human behavior. Its presence in the brain is associated with rewarding mood, feeling arousal for sex, eating, pleasure, and even creative thinking. It is also involved in motor control and release of various hormones (neuromodulation). It is also synthesized in plants and most animals, aside from humans. It is a molecule in the family of catecholamines. It consists of a catechol and benzene ring with two hydroxyl side groups with one of the amine groups attached through an ethyl chain. It is the smallest known catecholamine compared to others such as norepinephrine and epinephrine.

Dopamine is usually released in anticipation of rewards. But its presence in the synaptic gaps is very transient, owing to its immediate inactivation by an enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), and reuptake into the neurons.

Low levels of dopamine in the brain results in depression, while so much of it leads to dependence on stimulants (or narcotics) such as cocaine. This phenomenon stems from the endocytosis (swallowing) of the dopaminergic receptors by the brain cells (neurons) to balance the effect of the presence of  high levels of it (dopamine) in the brain.

The enzyme MAO discovered by Bernheim in 1928 belongs to the family of proteins known as flavin-containing amine oxidoreductase. They are important important in breaking down monoamines ingested in food and inactivating monoamine neurotransmitters in synaptic gaps. Because of the involvement of MAOs in the breakdown (inactivation) of dopamine and other monoamines, they are implicated in a number of psychiatric and neurological diseases, a number of which can be treated with MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) that block the action of MAOs.

Because of the shortness of the time of action of dopamine in the synaptic gaps controlled by an autoregulatory mechanism, some addictive drugs have been designed to, either increase its release or slow down the reuptake from the synaptic gaps after release to prolong the mood elevation normally produced by dopamine. But, regrettably, this leads to the vicious cycle of dependence on drugs as the dopamine receptors on the neurons are swallowed by the neurons to compensate for the high concentrations.

Natural ways of raising dopamine levels in the brain include:

- Exercise

- Meditation

- Going on dopamine-boosting

  diets

- Playing some interesting games

  and so on.

A brain with adequate dopamine supply is a powerful brain.

Festus C. Anaba, B Med Sci. Physiology