Most of us link dopamine deficiency with depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Could dopamine deficiency be a root cause of other conditions such as weight gain, diabetes, MS and other autoimmune conditions? Read this article and you will have the answer.
1.Low Dopamine Symptoms List
2.About Dopamine
3.Dopamine and The Brain
4.Dopamine, Hormones and The Metabolism of Sugar and Fats
Physical symptoms: fatigue, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain and inability to lose weight, insulin resistance or diabetes (metabolic syndrome), acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome
Self-destructive behavior (i.e. addictions)
Severe dopamine deficiency: slow movement, abnormal movement, lack of coordination (as seen in Parkinson’s disease)
* not all the symptoms above must be present; these symptoms may be caused by other conditions as well. This low dopamine symptoms list simply gives you an idea of what happens if you have a shortage of this neurotransmitter.
It is easy to notice that dopamine deficiency and norepinephrine deficiency share some similar symptoms (ie. fatigue, depressed mood), while some symptoms are quite the opposite (changes in blood pressure). Both deficiencies can occur together because dopamine is a precursor of norepinephrine, and both neurotransmitters need phenylalanine and tyrosine to be formed.
*cofactors like vitamins and minerals (ie vitamins B6, C, cooper, SAMe) are involved in this chain reaction
2.About Dopamine
Dopamine is known as “the molecule of motivation” for a very good reason: this neurotransmitter makes you feel motivated, focused, powerful and productive. It is in charge of the pleasure-reward system. It allows you to feel enjoyment- from being just happy to feel euphoric. Dopamine also plays a key role in mental/cognitive flexibility (the ability to adapt the behavior in response to changes in the environment. Strongly associated with sex hormones, dopamine plays a key role in sex drive. Dopa is also involved in the control of food intake, energy use, glucose, and fat metabolism, blood pressure and well as movement, posture, and coordination.
3.Dopamine and The Brain
Only 1% of the neurons in the brain are capable of producing dopamine, yet this neurotransmitter is so critical for the brain function and overall health.
If you feel driven and motivated, think dopamine. This molecule is responsible for reward-seeking behavior feeling accomplished when you achieve a goal. Dopamine makes you curious, makes you want to explore and experience new things. Dopa is involved in actions that involve survival like food and sex (think Maslow’s pyramid of needs).
Along with acetylcholine, dopamine plays a key role in attention and focus. Like serotonin, dopamine is involved in learning, memory (especially working memory) and adopting new behavior on the new information acquired.
It is always good to learn something new, as new information improves neuron plasticity, and overall the brain function [8]. Dopamine makes you more sociable, and experience lust and love [9],[10].
Dopamine controls movement, coordination, and posture. When a significant amount (60-89%) of dopamine-producing neurons are lost (as it happens in advanced forms of Parkinson s disease, a person will experience slower movements, tremor, rigidity and abnormal posture [11].
4.Dopamine, Hormones and The Metabolism of Sugar and Fats
Dopamine helps control food intake. It plays key roles in the metabolism of sugar and fats, blood pressure regulation and insulin release [12].
As a result, dopamine deficiency is associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain, insulin resistance or diabetes (in other words- with metabolic syndrome), raising the risk for stroke and heart diseases. Drugs that have similar effects with dopamine (dopamine agonists) are quite useful for managing diabetes.
The relationship between depression, inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease might be mediated by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve nr X) [19], which works closely with dopamine. In fact, stimulating the vagus nerve can help reverse abnormal function of the dopamine system [20].
Dopamine stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) and this hormone triggers the release of testosterone in men and progesterone in women. Therefore, dopamine deficiency is linked with low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, weight gain and loss of muscle mass in men and PMS, low sex drive, heavy menses, mood swings, depression and weight gain in women.
Dopamine modulates thyroid hormones [18] and controls the levels of prolactin, a hormone involved in reproduction and lactation.
5.Dopamine and The Immune System
Although most dopamine is made in the central nervous system (CNS), the immune system cells also have the ability to synthesize and release dopamine as well, which help improve the communication between immune cells and the cross talk between the immune and nervous system.
The dopamine produced in the brain plays an important role in decreasing the autoimmune reaction (TH1, TH17 response) and neurodegeneration [13],[14].
Dopamine inhibits the production of IFN-γ. IFN-γ is a major cytokine (molecule) found in MS lesions and high levels of this molecule are found during acute relapses [15].
Technical: Inflammation in both MS and EAE correlates with an IFN-γ–producing Th1 response In EAE, skewing of the cytokine away from a Th1 lineage and toward a Th2-producing response clearly ameliorates EAE. The exact role of IFN-γ in MS is controversial, with evidence showing detrimental and protective effects of this cytokine in MS [16]. Excess dopamine can be neurotoxic[17].
6.Dopamine Deficiency and MS
Multiple sclerosis and dopamine deficiency …is there a link? If so, why no one talks about it? Let’s explore what is dopamine- the low dopamine symptoms list, its effects on the brain, hormones, the immune system, and how it relates to MS.
Dopamine deficiency is well known associated with Parkinson’s disease. In Parkinson’s disease, the areas of the brain where dopa is made (i.e substantia nigra, VTA) are destroyed. Dopamine deficiency is also seen in MS, especially in those who experience significant fatigue. Furthermore, prescription drugs that boost dopamine could be useful to manage fatigue associated with MS. (quick note: dopamine synthesis is also increased by beta interferon). Some research suggests that dopamine-producing neurons are damaged in MS as well (and this damage correlates with the degree of disability) [1]. It appears that the autoimmune reaction may be involved in the destruction of neurons in the substantia nigra [2],[3],[4],[5],[6].
These facts explain why MS and Parkinson’s disease share similar symptoms (affecting the movement, memory, mood, energy levels). In rare cases, Parkinson s disease can actually develop in a person with MS[7].
