L-Dopa, also known as Levodopa, is a synthetic drug prescribed mainly to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. As a sympathetic nervous system stimulant, L-Dopa has the ability to pass through a group of endothelial cells whose main function is...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages about pleasure, pain and muscle movements between nerve cells. A lack of dopamine in the brain is a major symptom of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Many of the drugs...
Ultraviolet light causes skin to become darker through the production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that is produced by cells in the skin called melanocytes. As the American Academy of Dermatology explains, the purpose of melanin is to protect...
Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain that elicits pleasure and controls movement. Dopamine is produced in a two-step reaction from l-tyrosine that requires vitamin B6 in its co-enzymatic form, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. Dopamine deficiency...
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrolled tics, including small movements, behaviors or sounds. It is thought that low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine contribute to Tourette's syndrome. According to...
Tribulus Synergy is an ayurvedic herbal supplement marketed by Metagenics, Inc. The active ingredients are natural herbs, and side effects are few if you take the supplement in small doses. It is intended to support male sexual function, vitality...
Dopamine dysregulation syndrome, otherwise known as hedonistic homeostatic dysregulation in Parkinson's disease, is a disorder characterized by the degeneration of the dopaminergic system. The condition commonly occurs in people with Parkinson's...
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder interfering with the ability to start, stop or coordinate movement. Cells in the brain that produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine die during the course of Parkinson's disease. The amino...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter important in cognition, motor movement, addiction, and cognitive stability. Dopamine deficiency is not easily explained because dopamine affects several brain areas and a deficiency in one area does not always...
The brain's main memory site is the hippocampus. The hippocampus, part of the brain's limbic system, is located in the temporal lobe on the side of the brain. This brain region plays a crucial role in storing information that needs to be kept...
A member of the rose family, the apple is a fruit with many health benefits. Apples are rich in polyphenols, a type of phytochemical. Phytochemicals are not vitamins, but rather plant-derived nutrients useful to the body in ways that are not...
You have several chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters, which send messages to other areas of your body. One type of neurotransmitter is dopamine, which has several roles, such as in your sexual arousal and immune system function....
It takes several steps to make dopamine and there are several enzymes involved. If you have problems creating any of the enzymes, there will be problems metabolizing dopamine. This may result in a dopamine deficiency. In Parkinson's disease, the...
Parkinson's disease is characterized by motor and psychiatric problems according to "Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology" by Drs.Allan Ropper and Martin Samuels. Motor problems include a resting tremor, rigidity, instability and difficulty...
Many of the chemicals in the body are created through what is called a biological pathway. A pathway first requires a precursor molecule, usually from the diet. Then it is progressively modified by a series of enzymes until it reaches a final...
Dopamine is classified as a catecholamine, a class of chemical messengers that include epinepherine, also known as adrenalin; and norepinephrine. Dopamine facilitates the control of movement, regulation of memory formation and recall, mood,...
Phenylalanine, a non-nutrient amino acid, is found in two forms: L-phenylalanine , a natural amino acid found in proteins, and D-phenylalanine, a form synthesized in a laboratory. In the body, phenylalanine is converted into another amino acid,...
High dopamine levels in the brain can be desirable for numerous reasons, whether it be for treating a disease or simply enhancing cognitive function. Dopamine-boosting substances come in various potencies, ranging from herbal preparations to...
Dopamine functions as a chemical messenger in three major brain circuits, namely the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic and mesocortical systems. The nigrostriatal system extends from the substantia nigra and terminates in the brain's motor control...
Degenerative nerve disease is a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition. Also referred to as neurodegenerative disease, the deterioration of the nerves greatly affects the body's activities: balance, movement, heart function, talking and...
Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, results from the death of dopamine-containing cells in the substantia nigra region of the brain. As of the time of publication, Parkinson's disease cannot be cured....
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results from the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing people to have recurring seizures. People with epilepsy may have strange sensations and emotions; they may simply stare blankly for a few...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, reward and learning. Lack of dopamine in the brain may lead to impaired feelings of pleasure, reduced concentration, poor learning, movement disorders and poor motivation. However, you...
Scientists' understanding of depression and its causes has changed significantly over the past 20 years. Recent advances in drug therapy that address neurotransmitter deficiencies have improved the quality of life for innumerable patients....
Vitamin B6, otherwise known as pyridoxine, is an important water-soluble vitamin. Since vitamin B6 is water-soluble, many may assume that any excess vitamin B6 will be excreted without adverse side effects; however, excess vitamin B6 will not be...
Parkinson's disease interfere's with your brain's ability to control and coordinate movement, resulting in tremors, uncontrolled movement and difficulty with voluntary movement. The root cause of the disease is the destruction of cells in the...
Parkinson's disease, also called shaking palsy, is a slowly progressive disease of the nervous system. Symptoms begin when there is an imbalance of dopamine and acetylcholine. These substances transfer messages between nerve cells that control...
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for a variety of functions in your brain and other parts of your body. Having low levels of dopamine can lead to health problems. Dopamine controls movement and the flow of information to the frontal lobe...
Amino acid supplements are generally sold as sports supplements, and most are not very effective for that purpose as long as protein intake is adequate. Two of them, however, have piqued interest as a possible treatment for depression and other...
