Dopamine and Memory Loss

In class the question was brought up about how depression affects memory loss. In the article "In Search of Lost Time," the author mentions how memory loss can be caused by depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. I looked back at the PSIO480 notes and found out how dopamine is involved in depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. The dopamine is a neurotransmitter and the pathway begins in the midbrain. The midbrain controls all our automatic functions including sleep. The dopamine pathway ends in the hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and mesolimbic area. The hypothalamus controls our short-long term memory. And the mesolimbic area influences goal-directed behavior and also anxiety. The main problem would be a disturbance in the dopamine pathway. And memory loss would be associated with depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.