dopaminergic

adjective

do·​pa·​mi·​ner·​gic ˌdō-pə-ˌmē-ˈnər-jik How to pronounce dopaminergic (audio)
: liberating, activated by, or involving dopamine or related substances

Examples of dopaminergic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Individuals who set clear, meaningful goals exhibit stronger activation in the dopaminergic reward system, leading to greater motivation and productivity; this matters in particular in times of ever-accelerating demands and the stress that results from it. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 These dopaminergic neurons are necessary for many brain functions, including fine motor control. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Nov. 2023 By contrast none of the dopaminergic neurons projecting to the nearby dorsal striatum, involved in movement regulation do this. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2010 Excessive stimulation further desensitizes dopaminergic neurons, and the compulsion snowballs. Kat McGowan, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2019 It is also connected to parts of the brain responsible for hearing (the auditory cortices) and for pleasure (the dopaminergic reward system). Grace Leslie, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2021 The process involves the striatum, a dopaminergic reward center that drugs like cocaine and amphetamines exploit. Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2021 The researchers were also aware that the dopaminergic system in the brain has been tied to both physical exercise and executive function in the brain, i.e. top-flight thinking. Alison Escalante, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2021 This mental effort pays off: As the hippocampus activates, so too does the ventral striatum, another of the brain’s dopaminergic reward centers. Popular Science, 8 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dopaminergic was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near dopaminergic

Cite this Entry

“Dopaminergic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dopaminergic. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

dopaminergic

adjective
do·​pa·​mi·​ner·​gic ˌdō-pə-ˌmē-ˈnər-jik How to pronounce dopaminergic (audio)
: liberating, activated by, or involving dopamine or related substances
the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway
dopaminergic activity
dopaminergic neurons
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!