Molecular pharmacology of cocaine: a dopamine hypothesis and its implications.
The reinforcing properties of cocaine have been related to cocaine binding at the dopamine transporter in mesolimbocortical neurons. The molecular properties of the transporter have been studied in a number of laboratories. While this 'dopamine hypothesis' is strongly supported in animal studies of drug self-administration, the extent of its involvement in human drug dependence has not been fully elucidated.
Kuhar
M J
MJ
Neuroscience Branch, Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224.
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003042:Cocaine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011955:Receptors, Drug; C061445:cocaine receptor; D003042:Cocaine