dopamine

[ doh-puh-meen ]

noun

1. Biochemistry. a catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, retina, and sympathetic ganglia, acting within the brain to help regulate movement and emotion: its depletion may cause Parkinson's disease. Compare dopa.
2. Pharmacology. a dopamine preparation used to increase the force of contraction of the heart in the treatment of shock.

dopamine

/ ˈdɒpəmɪn /

noun

1. a chemical found in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter and is an intermediate compound in the synthesis of noradrenaline. Formula: (HO) 2 C 6 H 3 (CH 2 ) 2 NH 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of dopamine¹

First recorded in 1955–60; dopa, amine

Word History and Origins

Origin of dopamine¹

from d ( ihydr ) o ( xy ) p ( henylethyl ) amine

Example Sentences

The hypothalamus becomes super-charged, the dopamine sets to racing—to violins, the piano, anything.

From The Daily Beast

Flooding your brain with dopamine and serotonin, it not only heightens feelings of euphoria, but empathy and love as well.

From The Daily Beast

It is entirely clear that the dopamine system responds to physical activity.

From The Daily Beast

Several lines of scientific evidence have begun to implicate genes that control dopamine.

From The Daily Beast

And there is evidence that the reverse is true as well, that physical activity levels respond to the dopamine system.

From The Daily Beast