The modulatory effects of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor function on object working memory in humans

The role of dopamine D-1 and D-2 receptors in modulating object working memory in humans is poorly understood. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of D-1 and D-2 receptor modulation on object working memory. Twelve healthy subjects underwent testing under three conditions [0.05 mg pergolide (D-1/D-2 receptor agonist), 2.5 mg bromocriptine (D-2 receptor agonist) and placebo] in a double-blind, placebo-controlled repeated measures design. Subjects performed the object working memory Nback task pre-drug and 1.5 h and 3 h post-drug administration. Neither pergolide nor bromocriptine had an effect on object working memory performance. These findings suggest that object working memory may not be modulated by D-1 and D-2 receptors in humans.