Dopamine Research Paper

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Sydney Kaufmann/Natalie Wells
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1/23/18
Dopamine
Have you ever gotten a good grade on a science test? How did you feel? Happy, right? Well, that feeling you got is called dopamine. Dopamine controls the brain's reward center and gives you a good feeling. It also helps control movement and emotional responses. Dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter-which is a chemical released by nerve cells to send messages to other nerve cells. The brain has many routes for dopamine, and one path plays a role in behavior motivated by gain and reward. If you have a dopamine shortage, the symptom is Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Disease is a nerve disease that affects movement. But, if it is just low dopamine activity, you may be more drawn to addiction.

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