Tuberoinfundibular pathway

The tuberoinfundibular pathway is a neural pathway which runs between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. It is one of the major dopamine pathways in the brain.

Some antipsychotic drugs block dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway which can cause an increase in blood prolactin levels, leading in some cases to hyperprolactinemia. This can cause abnormal lactation (even in men), disruptions to the menstrual cycle in women, visual problems, headache and sexual dysfunction.

However, this effect suggests that the tuberoinfundibular pathway is involved in hormonal regulation, maternal behaviour, pregnancy and sensory processes .

Other major dopamine pathways include:

• mesocortical pathway
• mesolimbic pathway
• nigrostriatal pathway

See also

• antipsychotic
• dopamine