Addiction Science: From Molecules to Managed Care

This image and the one that follows show how neurotransmission works specifically for dopamine. What is schematically illustrated in this image is a nerve terminal (top), the synaptic cleft or space between the neurons, and the post-synaptic or receiving portion of a dendrite on a neighboring neuron. Dopamine is contained in vesicles (round storage sites) in the nerve terminal; dopamine receptors are present on the receiving (bottom) neuron.