The complexity of dopamine receptors and psychopharmacotherapy in children

The efficacy of dopaminergic antagonists, which are neuroleptics, has been shown in children in varied clinical situations. Five dopaminergic receptors (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) have thus far been cloned: their existence has thus been confirmed, but their functional significance remains to be determined. This publication reviews their main characteristics. The multiplicity of cerebral dopamine receptors is consistent with the future development of new, more selective and discriminating psychotropic drugs. The diversity of interactions of dopaminergic receptors, among themselves and with receptors for other neurotransmitters, however, explains the difficulty in understanding the mechanism of action of neuroleptics and defining their more rational use in children.