Archive | 2019
Dopamine and Stress
Abstract
Abstract The neurotransmitter dopamine is an important modulator of neuronal signaling and circuit activation. Physical and psychological stressors activate brain dopaminergic circuits, which, in turn, lead to both acute and long-term changes in neural functions. Dopamine systems contribute to the generation of the stress response and to coping responses to stress via coregulation of additional chemical transmitters. Regulation of dopamine release and receptor signaling is exquisitely sensitive to certain genetic and environmental perturbations during development and in adulthood. Individual variation in coping responses to stress has been correlated with differences in dopamine-related genes and dopamine neuron structure and firing patterns.