Dopamine’s action on receptors in the striatum

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in the control of movement^1,²
It acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter at some receptors, and is inhibitory at others^1,²
Neurons containing dopamine are clustered in the substantia nigra of the midbrain – the region most prominently damaged by PD^1,²
The pars compacta region of the SNc modulates the activity of the striatum, via the neurotransmitter, dopamine – this modulation is critical in the control of body movement^1,²

PD=Parkinson’s disease; SNc=substantia nigra