Linking the family of D-2 receptors to neuronal circuits in human brain: Insights into schizophrenia

The dopamine (DA) hypothesis of schizophrenia, which was based largely on evidence that pharmacological manipulations of DA systems influence the symptoms of schizophrenia, is undergoing a transformation due to our knowledge of the anatomy and pharmacology of additional subtypes of dopamine receptors. New research links the multiplicity of D-2-like receptors to divergent neuroanatomic sites of suspected pathology in schizophrenia. We hypothesize that this research suggests that D-2 receptors in the basal ganglia are the likely site of extrapyramidal symptoms and not antipsychotic effects. Rather, D-3 receptors of the mesolimbic system are a likely site of additional antipsychotic effects. This work also suggests that divergent DA receptor circuits are likely associated with the pathophysiology of this disorder. (C) 1997 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.