Publisher's Synopsis
The molecule on the cover is called dopamine. Although this is a relatively simple organic molecule, it is a major neurotransmitter in the brain. Dopamine plays a pivotal role in the regulation and control of movement, motivation and cognition. It also is closely linked to reward, reinforcement and addiction. Abnormalities in brain dopamine are associated with many neurological and psychiatric disorders including Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and substance abuse. This close association between dopamine and neurological and psychiatric diseases and with substance abuse make the dopamine system an important topic in neurosciences research and an important molecular target for drug development.