Dopaminergic pathways

The main dopaminergic pathways of the human brain.

Dopaminergic pathways, sometimes called dopaminergic projections, are neural pathways in the brain that transmit the neurotransmitter dopamine from one region of the brain to another.

The neurons of the dopaminergic pathways have axons that run the entire length of the pathway. The neurons' somata produce the enzymes that synthesize dopamine, and they are then transmitted via the projecting axons to their synaptic destinations, where most of the dopamine is produced. Dopaminergic nerve cell bodies in such areas as the substantia nigra tend to be pigmented due to the presence of the black pigment melanin.

Pathways

There are eight dopaminergic pathways. The four major ones are:

Pathway name		Description	Associated disorders
Mesocorticolimbic projection	mesolimbic pathway	The mesolimbic pathway transmits dopamine from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the limbic system via the nucleus accumbens. The VTA is located in the midbrain, and the nucleus accumbens is in the ventral striatum. The "meso" prefix in the word "mesolimbic" refers to the midbrain, or "middle brain", since "meso" means "middle" in Greek. This pathway is part of the mesocorticolimbic projection.	schizophrenia, ADHD, addiction
	mesocortical pathway	The mesocortical pathway transmits dopamine from the VTA to the frontal cortex. The "meso" prefix in "mesocortical" refers to the VTA, which is located in the midbrain, and "cortical" refers to the cortex. This pathway is part of the mesocorticolimbic projection.	schizophrenia, ADHD, addiction
nigrostriatal pathway		The nigrostriatal pathway transmits dopamine from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) to the dorsal striatum (specifically, the caudate nucleus and putamen). This pathway is associated with motor control.	Parkinson's disease, chorea
tuberoinfundibular pathway		The tuberoinfundibular pathway transmits dopamine from the hypothalamus (arcuate nucleus aka "infundibular nucleus") to the pituitary gland. This pathway influences the secretion of certain hormones, including prolactin. "Infundibular" in the word "tuberoinfundibular" refers to the cup or infundibulum, out of which the pituitary gland develops.	hyperprolactinaemia

Named pathways (same as above)

Mesocorticolimbic

• VTA → Prefrontal cortices
• VTA → Nucleus accumbens

Nigrostriatal

• SNc → Caudate nucleus
• SNc → Putamen

Tuberoinfundibular

• Tuberal hypothalamus (Infundibular nucleus) → Pituitary gland (Median eminence)

Minor pathways

• VTA → Amygdala
• VTA → Hippocampus
• VTA → Cingulate gyrus
• VTA → Olfactory bulb

The mesocortical and mesolimbic pathways are sometimes referred to simultaneously as the mesocorticolimbic projection, system, or pathway.