D3 dopamine receptor, behavioral
sensitization, and psychosis
by
Richtand NM, Woods SC,
Berger SP, Strakowski SM.
Department of Psychiatry, V-116A,
Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
3200 Vine Street, 45220, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2001 Jul;25(5):427-43
ABSTRACTBehavioral sensitization is a progressive, enduring enhancement of behaviors that develops following repeated stimulant administration. It is mediated in part by dopaminergic pathways that also modulate a number of psychiatric conditions including the development of psychosis. We propose that down-regulation of D3 dopamine receptor function in critical brain regions contributes to sensitization. Rodent locomotion, a sensitizable behavior, is regulated by the opposing influence of dopamine receptor subtypes, with D3 stimulation opposing concurrent D1 and D2 receptor activation. The D3 dopamine receptor has a 70-fold greater affinity for dopamine than D1 or D2 dopamine receptors. This imbalance in ligand affinity dictates greater occupancy for D3 than D1 or D2 receptors at typical dopamine concentrations following stimulant drug administration, resulting in differences in the relative tolerance at D3 vs D1 and D2 receptors. Sensitization may therefore result in part from accommodation of the inhibitory D3 receptor 'brake' on D1/D2 mediated behaviors, leading to a progressive locomotion increase following repeated stimulant exposure. The requirement for differential tolerance at D3 vs D1 and D2 receptors may explain the observed development of sensitization following application of cocaine, but not amphetamine, directly into nucleus accumbens. If correct, the 'D3 Dopamine Receptor Hypothesis' suggests D3 antagonists could prevent sensitization, and may interrupt the development of psychosis when administered during the prodromal phase of psychotic illness. Additional study is needed to clarify the role of the D3 dopamine receptor in sensitization and psychosis.NNOS
Dopamine
The pleasure centres
The nucleus accumbens
Dopamine/D1receptors
Dopamine/D2 receptors
Dopamine/D3 receptors
Dopamine/D4 receptors
Sensitisation/D2 receptor function in mPFC
Varying susceptibility to cocaine sensitisation
Sensitization to the reinforcing effects of cocaine01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
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