Dopamine D2-like receptors and the antidepressant response

Converging lines of evidence suggest a role for the mesolimbic dopamine system in the response to somatic antidepressant therapies. sect of increasing the sensitivity of Here, we review evidence suggesting that antidepressant treatment share. The of dopamine D2-like receptors in the nucleus accumbens, clinical studies suggesting that activation of these receptors has antidepressant efficacy, as well as relevant imaging and genetic data on the role of this system in the antidepressant response. We then attempt to reconcile this data with evidence of a common target of antidepressant drugs in the cyclic adenosine monopbosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein-brain-derived neutrotropbic factor (CREB-BDNF) pathway in a model that suggests potential directions for future inquiry.