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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area
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Dopamine receptor partial agonists and addiction.

Fabricio A Moreira1, Jeffrey W Dalley2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK.

European Journal of Pharmacology
|March 1, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists, like aripiprazole, show promise for treating addiction. These drugs offer potential therapeutic benefits for psychostimulant and opioid addiction with low abuse liability.

Keywords:
AddictionAntipsychoticsDopaminePartial agonistReward

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Addiction Research

Background:

  • Drugs of abuse impact dopamine neurotransmission in the mesolimbic pathway.
  • Dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists have shown limited success in addiction treatment due to side effects and adherence issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the therapeutic potential of dopamine receptor partial agonists for addiction.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of these agents in preclinical models.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent research on dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists.
  • Analysis of findings from animal models of psychostimulant and opioid addiction.

Main Results:

  • Dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists, such as aripiprazole, demonstrate efficacy in animal models of addiction.
  • These compounds exhibit low abuse liability and good tolerability compared to full agonists/antagonists.
  • Partial agonists can reduce opioid reward without affecting analgesia.

Conclusions:

  • Dopamine receptor partial agonists represent a promising therapeutic strategy for stimulant and non-stimulant drug addiction.
  • Their unique pharmacological profile suggests improved treatment adherence and reduced adverse effects.