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The tuberoinfundibular pathway refers to a population of dopamine neurons that project from the arcuate nucleus ( the " infundibular nucleus") in the tuberal region of the hypothalamus to the median eminence. It is one of the four major
dopamine Dopamine (DA, a contraction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is a neuromodulatory molecule that plays several important roles in cells. It is an organic chemical of the catecholamine and phenethylamine families. It is an amine synthesized ...
pathways in the brain. Dopamine released at this site inhibits the secretion of
prolactin Prolactin (PRL), also known as lactotropin and mammotropin, is a protein best known for its role in enabling mammals to produce milk. It is influential in over 300 separate processes in various vertebrates, including humans. Prolactin is secr ...
from
anterior pituitary The anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis or pars anterior) is a major Organ (anatomy), organ of the endocrine system. The anterior pituitary is the glandular, Anatomical terms of location#Usage in human anatomy, anterior lobe that t ...
gland lactotrophs by binding to dopamine receptor D2. Some
antipsychotic Antipsychotics, previously known as neuroleptics and major tranquilizers, are a class of Psychiatric medication, psychotropic medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), p ...
drugs block dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway, which can cause an increase in the amount of prolactin in the blood ( hyperprolactinemia).


Other dopamine pathways

Other major dopamine pathways include: * Mesocortical pathway *
Mesolimbic pathway The mesolimbic pathway, sometimes referred to as the reward pathway, is a dopaminergic pathway in the brain. The pathway connects the ventral tegmental area in the midbrain to the ventral striatum of the basal ganglia in the forebrain. The v ...
* Nigrostriatal pathway


See also

*
Antipsychotic Antipsychotics, previously known as neuroleptics and major tranquilizers, are a class of Psychiatric medication, psychotropic medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), p ...
*
Dopamine Dopamine (DA, a contraction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is a neuromodulatory molecule that plays several important roles in cells. It is an organic chemical of the catecholamine and phenethylamine families. It is an amine synthesized ...


References


External links

*
Diagram
{{Neurotransmitter systems Hypothalamus Central nervous system pathways Dopamine