title: Role of dopamine D3 receptors in the addictive properties of ethanol.
abstract: After the cloning of the dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors (1-3), several additional dopamine receptors were identified. These new subtypes included the D(3) and D(4) receptors, which are similar to D(2), and the D(5) receptor, which is similar to D(1) (4-6). Although most studies have focused on the role of dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors in mediating the addictive liability of drugs, the lack of selective pharmacological tools has significantly hampered this particular field of research. In contrast, recent studies using selective competitive antagonists have shown that the dopamine D(3) receptor is involved in drug-seeking behavior. The present review is intended to highlight a new, promising area in alcohol research that focuses on the role of the dopamine D(3) receptor in the addictive properties of ethanol.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Drug Discovery in Psychiatry, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy. Christian_A_Heidbreder@gsk.com
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Heidbreder
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreoli
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marcon
authors.forename: Panayotis K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Thanos
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ashby
authors.forename: Eliot L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D012201:Reward; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
chemical_list: C493593:DRD3 protein, human; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D008024:Ligands; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D000431:Ethanol