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Free explainer2 min readMRCPsych-2024

Dopaminergic pathways

Understand the model, recognise it in a stem, separate the look-alikes, then apply it.

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Watch it explainedOne antipsychotic blocks one receptor. So why does it also cause a tremor and raise prolactin?

Guideline currency: MRCPsych-2024

Visual explanationUse the diagram to rebuild the concept from memory.
Dopaminergic Pathways VTA Nucleus Accumbens Mesolimbic +ve symptoms / AP effect Prefrontal Cortex Mesocortical −ve/cognitive symptoms Substantia Nigra Dorsal Striatum Nigrostriatal Motor — EPSE if blocked Tubero- infundibular ↑Prolactin if blocked Green=mesolimbic Blue=mesocortical Orange=nigrostriatal Purple=tuberoinfundibular
Four Dopaminergic Pathways — Overview
NIMM-T: Nigrostriatal=Motor, Mesolimbic=Madness, Mesocortical=Mind (cognition), Tuberoinfundibular=Tits ().

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