Dopamine Receptors Function, Location & Types in the Brain

Dopamine receptors in the brain play a role in mood, motivation, alertness and attention span. The effects of this neurotransmitter are mediated by five primary types of dopamine receptors.

In the central nervous system, dopamine helps to control movement, learning, memory, emotions, retinal function and neuroendocrine secretions.

In the peripheral nervous system, dopamine is used to modulate hormone secretions, homeostasis and vascular tone.

As we age, Dopamine receptors begin to die off. This can result in impaired mental and physical performance, ultimately causing Parkinson’s disease.

Dopamine Boosters

Mood Supplements

Mood

Focus

Motivation

How It Works:

• Supports energy & motivation
• Promotes focus & mental clarity
• Improves mood & stress response

Dosage:

Varies depending on supplement

Safety:

Varies depending on supplement

Top Dopamine Boosters* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Dopamine Neurons

The human brain is made up of billions of different neurons, which communicate with each other by way of chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters.

Neurons are categories by which area of the brain they are in, which parts of the brain they connect to, and which type of chemical messengers they respond to.

Dopaminergic neurons are those brain cells that have receptors for the neurotransmitter dopamine, or that release this neurotransmitter to pass along signals.

In the brain, there are between 400,000 to 600,000 neurons with dopamine receptors, which accounts for less than 1% of the total number of brain neurons.

Despite their relatively small numbers, dopaminergic neurons play an important role in mood regulation, executive function, coordinating muscle movements, and sustaining focus.

Neurotransmission and Dopamine Receptors

Neurons pass along messages by “firing” when met with the appropriate stimulation.

When a given action potential stimulates a presynaptic nerve cell, dopamine molecules exit it through its axon terminal, entering into a space called the synaptic cleft.

Across the synaptic cleft is a postsynaptic neuron. Dopamine receptors are located on the surface of the postsynaptic neuron.

When dopamine molecules bind to dopamine receptors of postsynaptic neurons, those neurons are altered electrochemically. This continues the neuronal message along its pathway.

Dopamine transporters then act to escort dopamine molecules back across the synapse, and then back into the presynaptic neuron. This makes the dopamine available for the next action potential to stimulate.

Types of Dopamine Receptors

There are at least five different genes for dopamine receptors. These are referred to simply as D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5.

These five primary receptor alleles are grouped into two classes: D1-like receptors and D2-like receptors. D1-like receptors include D1 and D5. D2-like receptors include D2, D3 and D4.

All dopamine receptors are members of a G-protein receptor superfamily. In the central nervous system, different dopamine receptor types have distinct anatomical distributions.

D1 and D5 receptors are primarily located on postsynaptic neurons while D2-like receptors are mainly found on presynaptic neurons.

D1 Dopamine Receptors

D1 dopamine receptors are the most prevalent type in the CNS. These receptors are located in the brain’s limbic system, cortex and striatum.

Dopamine binds to D1 receptors to modulate neuronal growth and development inside the brain. It also helps to control certain behavioral responses to pleasure, anger, lust, love, fear and dominance.

D1 dopamine receptors also regulate the actions of D2 receptors.

D2 Dopamine Receptors

D2 dopamine receptors are located in the brain’s cortex, limbic system, striatum and pituitary gland. They are in highest concentrations in an area at the base of the forebrain called the basal ganglia.

This group of subcortical nuclei are interconnected with the thalamus, cerebral cortex, brainstem and other areas of the brain.

D2 dopamine receptors help to modulate voluntary body movements, habitual behaviors, emotions, eye movements, cognition and procedural learning.

Mutated D2 receptors are associated with schizophrenia, dystonia (abnormal muscle tone) and a motor disorder called myoclonus.

D3 Dopamine Receptors

D3 dopamine receptors are found in highest concentrations in two specific areas of the limbic system. The limbic system is a complex group of brain structures found beneath the cerebrum, on either side of the thalamus.

D3 receptors are abundant in the nucleus accumbens and the Islands of Calleja. These areas are responsible for reinforcing pleasurable effects from various internal and external stimuli.

D3 dopamine receptors are mainly associated with emotion modulation and addiction traits.

D4 Dopamine Receptors

D4 dopamine receptors are found most prevalently in the cortex and limbic system. These receptors are the targets of pharmaceuticals designed to treat schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and other conditions marked by dopamine dysregulation.

D4 receptors are also involved with modulating movement coordination and exploratory desires and behaviors.

D4 dopamine receptor mutations are associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and attention deficit disorders like ADD and ADHD.

D5 Dopamine Receptors

D5 dopamine receptors are D1-like receptors. They too are most concentrated within the limbic system. D5 receptors are associated primarily with functions of smell, emotional stability, behavioral tendencies and long-term memory.

D5 receptors have significantly more binding affinity to dopamine molecules than do D1 receptors.

Dopamine Receptor Agonists

A dopamine receptor agonist is a substance that activates dopamine receptors in the absence of dopamine. Dopamine molecules are the natural physiological ligands of dopamine receptors.

However, certain dopamine receptor agonists can stimulate the pathways in which dopamine functions. This ultimately leads to an increase in dopaminergic activity.

Various dopamine receptor agonist drugs are available for treating Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, pituitary tumors and attention deficit conditions.

Common side effects of these agents include hallucinations, anorexia, insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness, euphoria, weight loss, muscle spasms and pathological addiction.

Conclusions

Although dopaminergic neurons account for only about 0.02% of the neurons in the brain, they are involved in regulating many of our most important physiological and cognitive functions.

Dopamine levels and the number of dopamine receptors can be altered via the diet, activity level, effective stress management and use of certain supplements.

Rate This Article

(5 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5, rated)