Investigating the central role of the dopaminergic system in the physiological functions of the body: what we know so far

The dopaminergic system plays an important role in modulating some neural functions such as motor control, motivation, pain, cognition, maternal behavior, and reward. Dopaminergic signaling pathways are very important for maintaining physiological processes, and an unbalanced activity may lead to disorders related to neurological diseases. A correct understanding of the neurobiology and underlying molecular mechanisms of these disorders leads to the development of new treatments that improve the quality of life of patients all over. The purpose of the present study is to review the research conducted on the central role of the dopaminergic system and the dimensions of its influence on various physiological functions. In this review, articles related to the topic in the years 1970 to 2023 were identified using a targeted search of related keywords in reliable databases such as Civilica, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Springer, Google Scholar, and Elsevier, and in order to obtain more studies from the list The sources of these articles were used. Based on the findings of these studies, the appetite-reducing effects of dopamine have been reported in birds and mammals. On the other hand, the role of this neural mediator in pain perception and memory processing was determined. In connection with the endocrine glands, the interaction of dopamine with prolactin, sex steroids, growth hormone, and thyroid hormones has been proven. Also, numerous studies have shown the role of dopamine in motor control and the occurrence of maternal behavior. Finally, based on the review of past research, the occurrence of neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson, Huntington, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHA), and addiction can be related to abnormalities in the dopaminergic system. Despite conducting numerous studies on the role of the dopaminergic system in various biological activities, it is suggested to carry out more studies in order to identify new dimensions of the effect of this system on different body functions and to provide new treatment paths.
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