Chaotic behavior in dopamine neurodynamics

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984 Feb;81(4):1244-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.81.4.1244.

Abstract

We report the results of the dynamics of a model of the central dopaminergic neuronal system. In particular, for certain values of a parameter k, which monitors the efficacy of dopamine at the postsynaptic receptor, chaotic solutions of the dynamical equations appear--a prediction that correlates with the observed increased variability in behavior among schizophrenics, the rapid fluctuations in motor activity among Parkinsonian patients treated chronically with L-dopa, and the lability of mood in some patients with an affective disorder. Moreover our hypothesis offers specific results concerning the appearance or disappearance of erratic solutions as a function of k and the external input to the dopamine neuronal system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mathematics
  • Models, Neurological
  • Models, Psychological
  • Receptors, Dopamine / physiology
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Dopamine