The release of dopamine inhibits the release of prolactin by the anterior pituitary lobe of the hypothalamus. This hormone is primarily responsible for causing lactation.
Dopamine is needed to produce epinephrine and norepinephrine. These compounds are hormones that serve a variety of functions, such as the "fight or flight" response.
Dopamine causes feelings of pleasure and is released by rewarding experiences such as food and sex. This function of dopamine is essential in causing survival-oriented behavior.
Proper dopamine levels are required to maintain good cognitive functions such as concentration, memory and problem-solving. This function makes dopamine useful in treating attention deficit disorder.
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be relieved by increasing the level of dopamine in these patients. Dopamine used for this purpose must be administered in the form of L-DOPA in order to cross the blood-brain barrier.