Posted by magnesium on September 8, 2010, at 20:40:36
In reply to Re: Vitamin D, Smoking and Dopamine..., posted by moomin68 on September 8, 2010, at 11:53:21
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine
"Dopamine's role in experiencing pleasure has been questioned by several researchers. It has been argued that dopamine is more associated with anticipatory desire and motivation (commonly referred to as "wanting") as opposed to actual consummatory pleasure (commonly referred to as "liking")."
"Clues to dopamine's role in motivation, desire, and pleasure have come from studies performed on animals. In one such study, rats were depleted of dopamine by up to 99 percent in the nucleus accumbens and neostriatum using 6-hydroxydopamine.[23] With this large reduction in dopamine, the rats would no longer eat by their own volition. The researchers then force-fed the rats food and noted whether they had the proper facial expressions indicating whether they liked or disliked it. The researchers of this study concluded that the reduction in dopamine did not reduce the rat's consummatory pleasure, only the desire to actually eat. In another study, mutant hyperdopaminergic (increased dopamine) mice show higher "wanting" but not "liking" of sweet rewards.[25]"
Dopamine neurons can have various functions depending on their type and location. Hope that helps answer your question.
poster:magnesium
thread:951619
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20100607/msgs/961735.html