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Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Identification of Dopamine D1-Alpha Receptor Within Rodent Nucleus Accumbens by an Innovative RNA In Situ Detection Technology
Published on: March 27, 2018
Targeting the Actions of Muscarinic Receptors on Dopamine Systems: New Strategies for Treating Neuropsychiatric
Eric J Nunes1, Nii A Addy1,2, P Jeffrey Conn3
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Abstract:
Cholinergic regulation of dopamine (DA) signaling has significant implications for numerous disorders, including schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and mood-related disorders. The activity of midbrain DA neurons and DA release patterns in terminal regions are tightly regulated by cholinergic neurons found in both the striatum and the hindbrain. These cholinergic neurons can modulate DA circuitry by activating numerous receptors, including muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtypes. This review specifically focuses on the complex role of M2, M4, and M5 mAChR subtypes in regulating DA neuron activity and DA release and the potential clinical implications of targeting these mAChR subtypes.
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