Effects of selective dopamine D4 receptor blockers, NRA0160 and L-745,870, on A9 and A10 dopamine neurons in rats

Multiple dopamine receptor subtypes in the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat regulate set-shifting

Dopamine (DA) input to the prefrontal cortex (PFC), acting on D1 receptors, plays an essential role in mediating working memory functions. In comparison, less is known about the importance of distinct PFC DA receptor subtypes in mediating executive functions such as set-shifting. The present study assessed the effects of microinfusion of D2 and D4 receptor antagonists, and D1, D2, and D4 receptor agonists into the PFC on performance of a maze-based set-shifting task. In Experiment 1, rats were trained on a response discrimination task, and then on a visual-cue discrimination task requiring rats to suppress the use of the response strategy and approach the previously irrelevant cue to locate food. In Experiment 2, the order of training was reversed. Infusions of the D2 antagonist eticlopride, or the D4 agonist PD-168,077, impaired shifting from a response to a visual-cue discrimination strategy and vice versa, and caused a selective increase in perseverative errors. In contrast, infusions of the D4 antagonist L-745,870 improved set-shifting. Infusions of the D1 agonist SKF81297 or the D2 agonist quinpirole caused no reliable effect. These data, in combination with previous reports of impaired set-shifting following D1 receptor blockade, suggest that multiple receptors in the PFC are essential for set-shifting and that the mechanisms by which PFC DA mediates behavioral flexibility may be different from those underlying working memory. These findings may have important implications for developing novel treatments for cognitive deficits observed in disorders such as attentional deficit and hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia.

The Role of Dopamine in a Model of Trigeminovascular Nociception

Migraine is a common, disabling problem with three phases: premonitory, main headache attack, and postdrome. The headache phase is thought to involve activation of trigeminal neurons, whereas the premonitory and postdrome phases may involve dopaminergic mechanisms. In animal studies, dopamine has been found to cause vasodilation of cranial arteries at very low doses. Using intravital microscopy, we examined the effect of dopamine receptor agonists on dural blood vessel caliber and the effect of dopamine and specific dopamine receptor antagonists on trigeminovascular neurogenic dural vasodilation. Dopamine hydrochloride caused a significant vasoconstriction (P < 0.05) and increase in arterial blood pressure (P < 0.05) that was reversed by a alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine, rather than specific dopamine receptor antagonists. The D1 receptor agonist caused a vasoconstriction (P < 0.05) and a blood pressure increase (P < 0.05), which was reversed by yohimbine and therefore alpha2-adrenoceptor-mediated. None of the specific dopamine receptor antagonists were able to attenuate neurogenic dural vasodilation. Dopamine hydrochloride infusion (P < 0.05) and a D1 receptor agonist were able to attenuate the vasodilation (P < 0.05), with maximal dilation returning after cessation of the dopamine agonist infusion. This response may be due to the vasoconstrictor effects of the alpha2-adrenoceptor and an action at the D1 receptor. In the intravital model of trigeminal activation, it seems that dopamine receptors do not play a major role and may not present an acute treatment option. Our data do not exclude a role for dopamine receptor modulators in short- or long-term prevention.

The dopamine D(4) receptor: one decade of research

Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter involved in motor control, endocrine function, reward, cognition and emotion. Dopamine receptors belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and play a crucial role in mediating the diverse effects of dopamine in the central nervous system (CNS). The dopaminergic system is implicated in disorders such as Parkinson's disease and addiction, and is the major target for antipsychotic medication in the treatment of schizophrenia. Molecular cloning studies a decade ago revealed the existence of five different dopamine receptor subtypes in mammalian species. While the presence of the abundantly expressed dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors was predicted from biochemical and pharmacological work, the cloning of the less abundant dopamine D(3), D(4) and D(5) receptors was not anticipated. The identification of these novel dopamine receptor family members posed a challenge with respect to determining their precise physiological roles and identifying their potential as therapeutic targets for dopamine-related disorders. This review is focused on the accomplishments of one decade of research on the dopamine D(4) receptor. New insights into the biochemistry of the dopamine D(4) receptor include the discovery that this G protein-coupled receptor can directly interact with SH3 domains. At the physiological level, converging evidence from transgenic mouse work and human genetic studies suggests that this receptor has a role in exploratory behavior and as a genetic susceptibility factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.