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'''Dopamine''' is a chemical produced by the human body that acts as a [[neurotransmitter]] in the brain. Its chemical formula is (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>-CH<sub>2</sub>-CH<sub>2</sub>-NH<sub>2</sub>) and its chemical name is ''4-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol''. Dopamine is abbreviated as DA. The brain contains five types of receptors to which dopamine binds (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5).
'''Dopamine''' is a chemical produced by the human body that acts as a [[neurotransmitter]] in the brain. Its chemical formula is (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>-CH<sub>2</sub>-CH<sub>2</sub>-NH<sub>2</sub>) and its chemical name is ''4-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol''. Dopamine is abbreviated as DA. The brain contains five types of receptors to which dopamine binds (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5).
== Reward ==
== Reward, Prediction and Motivation ==
Dopamine plays an important role in brain reward systems. Actions and substances that increase the amount of DA that is released in the brain are [[reinforcement|reinforcing]]; that is, they result in pleasurable feelings, motivating people to repeat the behavior. Dopamine is released by natural behaviors such as eating and sexual activity, and also by drugs such as [[cocaine]] and [[amphetamine]].
Dopamine plays an important role in brain reward systems in the [[nucleus accumbens]], reward prediction and error in the [[Ventral tegmental area]], and appears to be involved in various levels of behavioral motivation.
Actions and substances that increase the amount of DA that is released in the nucleus accumbens increase the [[hedonistic]] responses of the animal. While dopamine antagonist (blockers) in the nucleus accumbens decrease these hedonistic responses. Manipulations of dopamine in the ventral tegmental area and the [[substantia nigra]] do not alter the hedonistic response but decrease or increase the motivation to perform behaviors. It is believed that dopamine acting in these regions actually signals predictions of future reward and errors in predicted reward and actual reward. Because of its role in both direct hedonistic assessment and its predictive ability dopamine is theorized to be the central neurotransmitter mediated [[reinforcement learning]].
Dopamine is released by natural behaviors such as eating and sexual activity, and also by drugs such as [[cocaine]] and [[amphetamine]].
== Link to Mental Illness ==
== Link to Mental Illness ==