Does dopamine affect ACh on the basal ganglia pathway in any way?

[Old Style Nanny]

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I have read somewhere that dopamine reduces the ACh activity in the brain. Is there any meat to that statement (with relation to the basal ganglia)?

 

[Phloston]

I have read somewhere that dopamine reduces the ACh activity in the brain. Is there any meat to that statement (with relation to the basal ganglia)?

Considering neurotransmission, overall, is extremely intricate and complicated, I wouldn't be surprised that some way some how, dopamine could impact ACh directly.

But in terms of the USMLE, the answer is no.

Know the four main dopamine pathways. Know whether the different neurotransmitters are up, down or unchanged depending on the pathology, but that's it.

On the USMLE, dopamine and prolactin regulation is exceedingly high-yield (as is to be expected). So know your tuberoinfundibular regulation.

 

[Old Style Nanny]

Thanks! Another line I'm striking out from the "extra" stuff I had written in First Aid. 🙂

Know the four main dopamine pathways.

You mean the mesolimbic, etc? I didn't find them mentioned in Neuro FA. Is it given somewhere else (apart from the tuberoinfundibular of course)? How are the other pathways tested by the way?

 

[Phloston]

USMLE Rx's explanations nails them.

Mesolimbic: tegmentum of midbrain --> limbic system
Mesocortical: tegmentum of midbrain --> cortex
Nigrostriatal: substantia nigra pars compacta --> striatum
Tuberoinfundibular: arcuate nucleus --> median eminence of hypothalamus

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Here's one for you: be very careful when you read these types of questions. Sometimes they'll mention a simple vignette (e.g. a guy with Parkinson's), then they'll ask you where the receptors are located in a non-obvious way (in this case would be tempting to click substantia nigra, but putamen would be correct; on the real USMLE, they might have you identify the location on a gross specimen or MRI as opposed to just clicking the name - this is very high-yield).

 

[Old Style Nanny]

Here's one for you: be very careful when you read these types of questions. Sometimes they'll mention a simple vignette (e.g. a guy with Parkinson's), then they'll ask you where the receptors are located in a non-obvious way (in this case would be tempting to click substantia nigra, but putamen would be correct; on the real USMLE, they might have you identify the location on a gross specimen or MRI as opposed to just clicking the name - this is very high-yield).

I see what you did there. 🙂 Thanks!