Table 1.
Dopaminergic systems in the central nervous system.
| Dopaminergic System | Localization of Neuronal Cell Bodies | Localization of Nerve Endings | Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| nigrostriatal | substantia nigra (A9 group) | striatum | motor and posture control |
| mesolimbic | ventral tegmental area (A10 group) |
nucleus accumbens | motivation, arousal, reward |
| mesocortical | ventral tegmental area | medial prefrontal cortex | motivation, attention, decision making |
| incertohypthalamic | hypothalamus (dopaminergic A13–A14 groups) |
hypothalamic nuclei (PVN) and medial preoptic area | different functions (feeding, erectile function, sexual behavior) |
| tuberoinfundibular | hypothalamus-arcuate nucleus | median eminence | inhibition of prolactin release by pituitary lactotropes |