<P> Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter involved in the reward pathway in the brain . Thus , drugs that increase dopamine signaling may produce euphoric effects . Many recreational drugs , such as cocaine and substituted amphetamines , inhibit the dopamine transporter ( DAT ) , the protein responsible for removing dopamine from the neural synapse . When DAT activity is blocked , the synapse floods with dopamine and increases dopaminergic signaling . When this occurs , particularly in the nucleus accumbens , increased D and decreased D receptor signaling mediates the `` rewarding '' stimulus of drug intake . </P>
<P> Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter involved in the reward pathway in the brain . Thus , drugs that increase dopamine signaling may produce euphoric effects . Many recreational drugs , such as cocaine and substituted amphetamines , inhibit the dopamine transporter ( DAT ) , the protein responsible for removing dopamine from the neural synapse . When DAT activity is blocked , the synapse floods with dopamine and increases dopaminergic signaling . When this occurs , particularly in the nucleus accumbens , increased D and decreased D receptor signaling mediates the `` rewarding '' stimulus of drug intake . </P>
where are the dopamine receptors located in the brain
where are the dopamine receptors located in the brain
reward pathway
reward pathway