Dopamine D-3 receptors role in modern antipsychotic drugs mechanism

Abstract

This paper provides a review of the apparent mechanisms of action of modern antipsychotic drugs, within modified hypothesis on dopaminergic schizophrenia. Several generations of antipsychotic drugs have been defined based on primary neurochemical mechanism of action. Various receptor targets for antipsychotic action and modern neurochemical classification of antipsychotic drugs have been discussed. Special attention paid to the D3 autoreceptors antagonism and to their interaction with other neurotransmitter systems (including glutamatergic system) in various brain structures and their roles in antipsychotic, pro-cognitive and antinegative clinical effects, and their application in dependence syndrome treatment.