DOPAMINE

also called Hydroxytyramine, a nitrogen-containing organic compound formed as an intermediate compound from dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) during the metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine. It is the precursor of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. Dopamine also functions as a neurotransmitterprimarily by inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulsesin the substantia nigra, basal ganglia, and corpus striatum of the brain. A deficiency of dopamine results in Parkinson's disease (q.v.).