dopamine

[ doh-puh-meen ]

/ ˈdoʊ pəˌmin /

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.

Nearby words

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

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
It is entirely clear that the dopamine system responds to physical activity.
Are We Killing Our Sports Gene?|David Epstein|August 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for dopamine

dopamine

/ (ˈdɒpəmɪn) /

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

dopamine

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

Medicine definitions for dopamine

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

Science definitions for dopamine

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.