Figure 2.

Nociceptive signaling in the amygdala. Dopamine acts within the amygdala. Via K+ channels and D2‐like receptors, dopamine leads to decreased glutamate secretion. Glutamate activates group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors, leading to the activation of G‐proteins, phospholipase C, cleaving of PIP₂ into DAG and IP₃, and the opening of intracellular calcium channels. Once open, calcium channels release calcium into amygdala cells, leading to a variety of excitatory effects that cause increased nociception.