Neurotransmitter transporters as molecular targets for addictive drugs.
The neurotransmitter dopamine lies at or near the center of current theories of drug abuse and dependence. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that dopaminergic cells play key roles in a variety of motivated behaviors. Accordingly, it is not surprising that cocaine and amphetamines--some of the most widely used illicit drugs--elevate extraneuronal dopamine concentrations through their actions on the plasma membrane dopamine transporter. From the point of view of developing novel pharmacological interventions for the treatment or prevention of psychostimulant abuse, practical benefits may arise from an improved understanding of how neurotransmitter transporters operate and how drugs interact with them.
Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA. amaras@ohsu.edu
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D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013570:Synaptic Membranes; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects
D000662:Amphetamines; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009294:Narcotics; D012701:Serotonin; D003042:Cocaine; D004298:Dopamine