Dopamine is an important
neurotransmitter in the
brain. It can also be supplied as a sympathomimetic
drug, i.e. a drug which acts on the
sympathetic nervous system, producing effects such as increased
heart rate and
blood pressure.
Shortage of dopamine has been implicated in neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Overabundance of dopamine in the brain is believed to cause paranoia and hallucinations in schizophrenia and after abuse of some drugs.
