Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Encyclopedia
The tuberoinfundibular pathway refers to a population of dopamine neurons in the arcuate nucleus
of the mediobasal hypothalamus
(the 'tuberal region') that project to the median eminence
(the 'infundibular region'). It is one of the four major dopamine
pathways in the brain. Dopamine released at this site regulates the secretion of prolactin
from the anterior pituitary
gland.
Some antipsychotic
drugs block dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway, which can cause an increase in blood prolactin
levels (hyperprolactinemia). This can cause abnormal lactation
(even in men), disruptions to the menstrual cycle
in women, visual problems, headache
and sexual dysfunction
.
Arcuate nucleus
The arcuate nucleus is an aggregation of neurons in the mediobasal hypothalamus, adjacent to the third ventricle and the median eminence...
of the mediobasal hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The Hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions...
(the 'tuberal region') that project to the median eminence
Median eminence
The median eminence is part of the inferior boundary for the hypothalamus part of the human brain. A small swelling on the tuber cinereum posterior to the infundibulum - atop the pituitary stalk - the median eminence lies in the area roughly bounded on its posterolateral region by the cerebral...
(the 'infundibular region'). It is one of the four major dopamine
Dopamine
Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter present in a wide variety of animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. In the brain, this substituted phenethylamine functions as a neurotransmitter, activating the five known types of dopamine receptors—D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5—and their...
pathways in the brain. Dopamine released at this site regulates the secretion of prolactin
Prolactin
Prolactin also known as luteotropic hormone is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRL gene.Prolactin is a peptide hormone discovered by Henry Friesen...
from the anterior pituitary
Anterior pituitary
A major organ of the endocrine system, the anterior pituitary, also called the adenohypophysis, is the glandular, anterior lobe of the pituitary gland...
gland.
Some antipsychotic
Antipsychotic
An antipsychotic is a tranquilizing psychiatric medication primarily used to manage psychosis , particularly in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A first generation of antipsychotics, known as typical antipsychotics, was discovered in the 1950s...
drugs block dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway, which can cause an increase in blood prolactin
Prolactin
Prolactin also known as luteotropic hormone is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRL gene.Prolactin is a peptide hormone discovered by Henry Friesen...
levels (hyperprolactinemia). This can cause abnormal lactation
Lactation
Lactation describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young. The process occurs in all female mammals, however it predates mammals. In humans the process of feeding milk is called breastfeeding or nursing...
(even in men), disruptions to the menstrual cycle
Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the scientific term for the physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle....
in women, visual problems, headache
Headache
A headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the...
and sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction or sexual malfunction refers to a difficulty experienced by an individual or a couple during any stage of a normal sexual activity, including desire, arousal or orgasm....
.
Other dopamine pathways
Other major dopamine pathways include:- mesocortical pathwayMesocortical pathwayThe mesocortical pathway is a neural pathway that connects the ventral tegmentum to the cerebral cortex, particularly the frontal lobes. It is one of the four major dopamine pathways in the brain...
- mesolimbic pathwayMesolimbic pathwayThe mesolimbic pathway is one of the dopaminergic pathways in the brain. The pathway begins in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain and connects to the limbic system via the nucleus accumbens, the amygdala, and the hippocampus as well as to the medial prefrontal cortex...
- nigrostriatal pathwayNigrostriatal pathwayThe nigrostriatal pathway is a neural pathway that connects the substantia nigra with the striatum. It is one of the four major dopamine pathways in the brain, and is particularly involved in the production of movement, as part of a system called the basal ganglia motor loop.Loss of dopamine...