Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is one of the key neurotransmitters, important molecules that chemically transfer electrical signals between neurons. It produces both the excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, depending on the postsynaptic receptor.
Dopaminergic system is formed by three main neuronal circuits: nigrostrialtal, mesolimbic/mesocortical and tubular-infundibular pathway. In the central nervous system (CNS) dopamine is involved in control of mood, movement, cognition, motivation and reward.
In the peripheral nervous system it controls Na+ homeostasis in kidney, renal blood flow and cardiovascular function. It is also a hypothalamic neurohormone responsible for inhibition of the release of prolactin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary.
Moreover, recent evidences suggest that dopamine can also regulate circulating immune cells.