| Popis: |
Cocaine is a highly addictive drug of abuse whose addictive liability arises from its capacity to function as a powerful reinforcer (reward). This behavioral effect is dependent on its capacity to function as an indirect agonist of dopamine, resulting in enhanced stimulation of dopamine receptors, including the dopamine D3 subtype of receptor. In recent years the role of dopamine D3 receptors in the behavioral effects of cocaine has received considerable attention. This chapter highlights the role of dopamine D3 receptors specifically in relation to the rewarding, incentive motivational, and stimulant effects of cocaine. Antagonism of dopamine D3 receptors (1) attenuates cocaine self-administration (reward) but mainly when response demands are high and driven by cocaine cues, (2) inhibits cue-induced cocaine seeking, and (3) inhibits the expression of cocaine conditioned place preference. Generally, it seems that dopamine D3 receptors are involved in mediating the incentive motivational effects of cocaine. |
