Dopamine D3 Receptor Partial Agonists and Antagonists as Potential Drug Abuse Therapeutic Agents

摘要

The stimulation of dopamine receptors via an increased concentration of synaptic dopamine levels in the mesocorticolimbic regions of the brain has been defined as the primary mechanism underlying the reinforcing properties of all drugs of abuse.As such,most of these substances do not directly bind to dopamine receptors,but rather,their actions are mediated through indirect mechanisms such as dopamine transporter blockade(e.g.,cocaine).The resulting increases in synaptic dopamine levels in turn produce euphoria,psychostimu-lation,and other rewarding experiences that can lead to drug addiction.Indeed,imaging studies in drug-addicted subjects have shown increases in dopamine levels in striatal regions of the brain after cocaine