Pani L, Gessa G L
CNR Centre for Neuropharmacology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1997;17(2-3):55-8.
This paper summarizes the fundamental steps in the evolution of the dopaminergic system. A rudimentary dopaminergic system is present in primitive creatures, already able to select information processing, modulate "emotional" behaviours and react to perturbations in environmental conditions. Pharmacological manipulations of the dopaminergic transmission are able to modify basic behaviours present in all animals from fishes to lizards to mammals. The ability to put the organism in motion and the hedonic capacity of giving pleasure, would justify the conservation through evolution of such a neuronal system. The fact however that the dopaminergic system has remained identical for the last several centuries, while many external conditions which interfere with its physiology have dramatically changed, may contribute to explain the transition from the original vital advantages of the dopaminergic system to its crucial role in the psychopathology of pleasure.
本文总结了多巴胺能系统进化的基本步骤。原始生物中存在一个基本的多巴胺能系统，该系统已能够选择信息处理、调节“情绪”行为并对环境条件的扰动做出反应。多巴胺能传递的药理学操作能够改变从鱼类到蜥蜴再到哺乳动物等所有动物的基本行为。使生物体运动的能力以及给予愉悦的享乐能力，将证明这样一个神经元系统通过进化得以保留的合理性。然而，多巴胺能系统在过去几个世纪中一直保持不变，而许多干扰其生理功能的外部条件却发生了巨大变化，这一事实可能有助于解释从多巴胺能系统最初的生命优势到其在愉悦心理病理学中的关键作用的转变。
