dopamine

[doh-puh-meen]

noun

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.

Pharmacology. a dopamine preparation used to increase the force of contraction of the heart in the treatment of shock.

Compare levodopa.

Origin of dopamine

First recorded in 1955–60; see origin at dopa, amine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dopamine

Contemporary Examples of dopamine

The hypothalamus becomes super-charged, the dopamine sets to racing—to violins, the piano, anything.
Was The Beatles’ Music Really That Unique? Yeah, It Totally Was.
Michael Tomasky
February 2, 2014
Flooding your brain with dopamine and serotonin, it not only heightens feelings of euphoria, but empathy and love as well.
Molly: The Dangerous Drug That’s Too Good to Quit
Abby Haglage
September 8, 2013
It is entirely clear that the dopamine system responds to physical activity.
Are We Killing Our Sports Gene?
David Epstein
August 4, 2013
And there is evidence that the reverse is true as well, that physical activity levels respond to the dopamine system.
Are We Killing Our Sports Gene?
David Epstein
August 4, 2013
Particular versions of dopamine receptor genes have been associated with higher physical activity and lower body mass index.
Are We Killing Our Sports Gene?
David Epstein
August 4, 2013

British Dictionary definitions for dopamine

dopamine

noun

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 Origin for dopamine

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dopamine

1959, from DOPA, the amino acid (from first letter of elements of dioxyphenylalanine), + -amine.

dopamine in Medicine

dopamine

[dō′pə-mēn′]

n.

A monoamine neurotransmitter formed in the brain by the decarboxylation of dopa and essential to the normal functioning of the central nervous system. A reduction in its concentration within the brain is associated with Parkinson's disease.3-hydroxytyramine

dopamine in Science

dopamine

[dō′pə-mēn′]

A monoamine neurotransmitter that is formed during the synthesis of norepinephrine and is essential to the normal functioning of the central nervous system. A reduction of dopamine in the brain is associated with the development of Parkinson's disease. Chemical formula: C8H11NO2.