Dopamine receptors

Dopamine Receptors

Dopamine receptors are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that are prominent in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). These receptors are the target of a variety of psychoactive drugs, and are also critically important in a number of medical conditions, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and drug addiction.

Pronunciation

Dopamine Receptors: /doʊpəmiːn rɪˈsɛptərz/

Etymology

The term "dopamine" was coined in 1957 by the Swedish scientist Arvid Carlsson and his colleagues. It is derived from its chemical name, 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine, and its chemical formula, C8H11NO2. The term "receptor" comes from the Latin "receptus", meaning "received".

Types of Dopamine Receptors

There are five known types of dopamine receptors, labeled D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5.

• D1 receptor - The D1 receptor is the most abundant dopamine receptor in the CNS. It is involved in the regulation of cognition and behavior.

• D2 receptor - The D2 receptor is primarily found in the striatum, and is involved in the regulation of locomotion.

• D3 receptor - The D3 receptor is primarily found in the islands of Calleja and the nucleus accumbens.

• D4 receptor - The D4 receptor is primarily found in the prefrontal cortex, and is believed to play a role in the cognitive functions of this region.

• D5 receptor - The D5 receptor is similar to the D1 receptor, but is less abundant and has a different distribution within the brain.

Related Terms

• Neurotransmitter - A chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse or junction, causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fiber, a muscle fiber, or some other structure.

• G protein-coupled receptors - A large protein family of receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate inside signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, cellular responses.

• Psychoactive drugs - Chemical substances that change brain function and result in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior.

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