The mechanism underlying dopamine D1 receptor-mediated attenuation of glutamatergic synaptic input to nucleus accumbens (NAcc) neurons was investigated in slices of rat forebrain, using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. The depression by dopamine of EPSCs evoked by single-shock cortical stimulation was stimulus-dependent. Synaptic activation of NMDA-type glutamate receptors was critical for thi...

The editorial by Bolonna & Kerwin (2005) is both timely and important. The authors succinctly present the case for the use of partial agonists of dopamine receptors, concluding that ‘the reviewed evidence suggests a promising future for dopamine receptor partial agonists’. While this is arguably true on the basis of the evidence presented, theoretical and empirical concerns regarding the use of...

Dopamine regulates the psychomotor stimulant activities of amphetamine-like substances in the brain. The effects of dopamine are mediated through five known dopamine receptor subtypes in mammals. The functional relevance of D5 dopamine receptors in the central nervous system is not well understood. To determine the functional relevance of D5 dopamine receptors, we created D5 dopamine receptor-d...

The editorial by Bolonna & Kerwin (2005) is both timely and important. The authors succinctly present the case for the use of partial agonists of dopamine receptors, concluding that ‘the reviewed evidence suggests a promising future for dopamine receptor partial agonists’. While this is arguably true on the basis of the evidence presented, theoretical and empirical concerns regarding the use of...

Agonists at dopamine D2 and D3 receptors are important therapeutic agents in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Compared with the use of agonists, allosteric potentiators offer potential advantages such as temporal, regional, and phasic potentiation of natural signaling, and that of receptor subtype selectivity. We report the identification of a stereoselective interaction of a benzothiazol ...

Identification of the D, receptor The D4 receptor was fit identified, using molecular biological techniques, from human’ and from rat2 and shown to be a member of the family of G protein-coupled dopamine receptors. It has substantial homology with Dz and DJ receptors (and is a member of the D,-like receptor subfamily) but its distribution and pharmacological properties are different from either...

Cabergoline, a dopamine agonist agent, is commonly used in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, and antipsychotic-induced prolactin elevation. It is generally well tolerated as compared to other dopamine agonist agents due to its more selective D2 receptor agonistic effect. We present a case of a 25-year-old female who developed manic episode, followi...

BACKGROUND The neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate have been implicated in the prefrontal dysfunction associated with schizophrenic illness. Studies suggest that the D1 subclass of dopamine receptor and the N-methyl-D-aspartate subclass of glutamate receptor are involved in this prefrontal dysfunction. These 2 receptors regulate, in opposing directions, the amount of phosphorylated activat...

A drug acting at metabotropic glutamate receptors has recently been reported to be an effective antipsychotic, breaking the rule that only dopamine receptor-blocking drugs have this property. The finding complements accumulating evidence that glutamatergic abnormalities are important in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.