Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, influences the immune system

Dopamine (DA) is a monoamine neurotransmitter of both central and periphera l nervous system. Its role in the neural-immune communication has been disc ussed in the present review. Results reveal that in vivo damage or stimulat ion of specific central dopaminergic system suppresses or enhances function al activities of the immune effector cells. The possible influences of othe r immunomodulators of the brain by altering brain DA may be the underlying mechanism, Direct effects of DA on the immune effector cells are also contr adictory, it is suppressive in vitro, while in pharmacological doses, it is mostly stimulatory in vivo. The possible mechanisms have been discussed. L astly, future areas of relevance on DA and immunity have been highlighted t o advance our knowledge regarding DA as an immune regulator. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.