Functionally segregated dopaminergic circuits
Dopaminergic pathways in the brain are anatomically and functionally segregated. The three major dopaminergic pathways are the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesocortical pathways. These pathways contribute to distinct brain functions, and disfunction within these pathways is associated with different disorders.
The proper establishment of functionally segregated dopaminergic circuits is crucial for future brain function. Dopaminergic pathway specificity is determined by the molecular communication between the dopaminergic neurons/axons and their targets, which provide both dorsal– ventral and rostral–caudal gradients of molecular cues.
The identification of pathway-specific molecules that guide the formation of specific dopaminergic circuits could provide strategies for symptom-based treatments of neuropsychiatric disorders.
https://www.cell.com/trends/neurosciences/fulltext/S0166-2236(24)00246-7
