On Tue, 20 Mar 2012, Michael Britt went:
Question: low levels of dopamine are associated with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's involves involuntary motor movements. But when you think of a neurotransmitter that is involved with our ability (or inability) to contract our muscles, I think of acetylcholine - not dopamine. Can anyone clear this up for me? Why are low levels of dopamine be associated with muscular difficulties?
Your question raises a good general point about neurotransmitters: when you see a statement that a neurotransmitter does something, one of your first questions should be "Where?" In this instance, the motoric role of acetylcholine is occurring at nicotinic receptors on skeletal muscles (at what's called the neuromuscular junction). The motoric role of dopamine--in the selection and organization of movements--is occurring mostly at receptors in brain regions such as the caudate nucleus and the putamen. Each of the two neurotransmitters does all sorts of other things--in other places. --David Epstein da...@neverdave.com --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=16832 or send a blank email to leave-16832-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
