[Dopaminergic receptors--nomenclature and classification of types and subtypes]

At present, dopamine receptors are divided into two groups, dopamine D1-like receptors and dopamine D2-like receptors. In the study of these receptors, application of molecular biology methods has led to the identification of several structurally distinct subfamilies of receptors. D1-like subfamily contains D2, D3, and D4 receptors. These receptors are the primary targets in treatment of schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea. Some of the neuroleptics have very selective action on certain subtypes of dopamine receptors, however, it seems that the efficient treatment of e.g. schizophrenia can be reached only by drugs which affect not only dopaminergic receptors but also 5-HT and possibly other receptors. It is of interest that the antipsychotic drugs originally led to the discovery of dopamine receptors and their subtypes and now, in turn, these receptors are used to search for more selective drugs with antipsychotic and antiparkinsonic effects.