The article revolves around Dopaminergic neurons, which are found in human brains. There has been an outline of their origin, functions, and associated pathologies. These neurons have been studied widely on varied levels due to the many functions that they play. They are involved in numerous neurological and mental disorders hence the need for understanding how they function entirely. These neurons are found in the midbrain in an area that is regarded as being “harsh”. This is why it took the usage of an advanced method to locate them when they were first discovered. The system within which the neurons are found has been divided into several nominal systems. This is meant to enable the performance of varied functions that are usually controlled by the brain.

Dopaminergic neurons tend to develop following a series of stages that are marked by distinct events. There have been studies that have enabled identification of varied factors that tend to influence the final formation of these neurons. The transcription factors that are usually expressed in Proliferating dopaminergic progenitor have not been identified yet, but this has not deterred other cell development from taking place. Studies that have been meant to analyze the function of the neuron’s transcription factors have increased the knowledge on how dopaminergic neurons are generated in vivo. There has also been a development of different strategies that can be used to engineer the neurons. This comes as positive information when it comes to the development of future therapists for PD patients.

Dopaminergic neurons usually serve several functions regardless of the fact that they make up less than 1% of the total neurons in the brain. The neurons help in the execution of tasks that are specific to the brain region. This includes working memory, motor behavior, and motivation. This is to say that these neurons tend to play a significant role in the regulation of both physical and mental health. A good example is how the neurons aid in the learning of specific behaviors. There is an allowance to learn as many behaviors as possible given the efficiency that these neurons bring. To some extent, dopamine neurons exhibit the role of detecting reward prediction errors.

These neurons have been found to have low levels of antioxidants, a high rate of oxygen metabolism and high iron content. This aspect makes the neurons prone to oxidative stress. Dopamine oxidation has the ability to occur spontaneously when transition metal ions are present. This is because it has the ability to generate toxic reactive oxygen species. Conditions that are prone to increasing brain concentration have the ability to increase the formation of reactive metabolites.

In case an individual losses dopaminergic cells, they are prone to developing a PD. In PD, the loss of the neurons follows a certain pattern with the susceptible area being located in the ventral part of the SNpc. The result is that an individual experiences severe dopamine depletion. Mechanisms that are responsible for the death of dopaminergic neurons have not been established clearly yet. This is why the treatments that are being used for the disease at the moment are not preventive but symptomatic.

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