Glossary D

Glossary D

Dopamine refers to neurotransmitter whose generalized function is to activate other neurotransmitters and to aid in exploratory and pleasure-seeking behaviors (thus balancing serotonin ). A relative excess of Dopamine is implicated in Schizophrenia. Deficit of Dopamine is involved in Parkinson’s disease.

Dopamine hypothesis refers to the biological hypothesis that the delusions, hallucinations, and attentional deficits of schizophrenia result from overactivity of neurons that communicate with each other via the transmission of dopamine.

Dopamine hypothesis of Schizophrenia refers to the proposal that Schizophrenia is due to excess activity at certain Dopamine synapses.

Dopamine transporter refers to membrane protein that enables the presynaptic neuron to reabsorb Dopamine after releasing it

Doppelganger is a German word which literally means "double goer" and refers to a ghostly counterpart or double of a living person.

Dormancy refers to a state of non activity during which sleep brain waves cannot be detected.

Dorothea Lynde Dix (1802 to 1887) refers to an American social reformer who had caused several states (and foreign countries) to reform their facilities for treating mental illness by making them more available to those needing them and more humane in their treatment.

Dorsal means located toward the back, away from the ventral (stomach) side; toward the back. The top of the brain is Dorsal in humans.