Using Dopamine to Treat Diseases

Dopamine is part of a class of substances in your body that regulates many functions, including mood, appetite and a sense of well being. A neurotransmitter, it is essential to the functioning of all body systems. Too much or too little dopamine is a contributing cause of diseases including Parkinson's, certain psychiatric disorders, addiction and attention deficit disorder.

Dopamine and Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. Tremors, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance and difficulty walking are characteristic primary symptoms of Parkinson's. There is no cure at present, but a form of dopamine called L-dopa is the best treatment for controlling symptoms.

  Side effects can include nausea, especially early in treatment, low blood pressure and abnormal movements. Slow dosage adjustment and taking medication with food can reduce these effects, and using the lowest effective dose may prevent or delay the appearance of motor dysfunction.

Dopamine and Other Conditions

• This medication is used to treat heart and blood flow problems in shock (reduction of blood flow to all parts of the body) caused by a heart attack, kidney failure, severe injury or heart failure. Dopamine acts quickly to increase the blood flow from the heart, raise a dropping blood pressure and increase urine flow.

  Dopamine is also involved in a number of psychatric disorders. Antipsychotic medications are dopamine-lowering medications used for the treatment of both psychosis and schizophrenia as well as bipolar disorder and major depression .

Dopamine and Alzheimer's

• Alzheimer's patients are known to exhibit diminished levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Disturbances in those levels affect behavior, feelings, appetite and many other systems of the body. The noncognitive aspects of dementia are usually linked to serotonin and dopamine because those neurotransmitter systems most directly influence mood, emotional balance and psychosis. Current research indicates medications that alter dopamine levels and transmission may alleviate some of the mood and emotional balance issues that afflict Alzheimer's patients.

Dopamine and Other Drugs

• There are a number of drugs contraindicated in combination with dopamine. They include MAO inhibitors commonly used to treat depression as well as tricylcic antidepressant medications. Also contraindicated are medications used to treat high blood pressure and some medications used to treat heart conditions. Any use of dopamine should be carefully monitored by your doctor and you should make a point of telling him or her about all other medications you are taking.

Dopamine in the Body

• Like many neurotransmitters, dopamine has several different functions. It plays a critical role in the workings of the central nervous system and helps the body function smoothly. It is also linked with the brain's complex system of motivation and rewards and thus plays a role in addiction. Dopamine is synthesized by the brain, which also controls the levels and rate of transmission in each person.