Brain Cells (IMAGE)

University of Connecticut

Brain Cells

Caption

This image shows two brain cells (pale yellow) and the open space between them, called a synapse. The little blue circles are dopamine, a chemical that excites brain cells when it fills the synapse. Some drugs block the supply of dopamine to the synapse (the red X) and this can cause fatigue, lack of motivation and apathy. The blue X shows where other drugs block a protein from cleaning dopamine out of the synapse; this can help restore feelings of motivation to a person. Or a rat.

Credit

(Courtesy of John Salamone/UConn Illustration)

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