Pharmacopsychiatry 2006; 39: 15-20
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-931484
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Complexity of the Dopaminergic Synapses and their Modulation by Antipsychotics

K. Leuner1 , W. E. Müller1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Biocenter, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
01 March 2006 (online)

Since the mid of the 1960ies, striking similarities between the psychosis seen in subjects taking high doses of amphetamines and the symptoms of patients with paranoid schizophrenia have been noted and placed in the context of increased catecholaminergic neurotransmission as a fundamental cause underlying major symptoms of the disease. Subsequent studies emphasized the contribution of central dopaminergic mechanisms for at least several psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. The most compelling pharmacological data to support the developing ”dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia” originated from the clear relationship between antipsychotic drug efficacy and affinity for D2 - like dopamine receptors strongly indicating D2-antagonism as major if not exclusive mechanism of antipsychotic drug action. Accordingly, in this review we focus on the neuropharmacology of the dopaminergic system in our brain with special emphasis on the dopaminergic synapse.

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Prof. Dr. W. E. Müller

Department of Pharmacology

Biocenter

Goethe University

Marie-Curie-Str. 9

D-60439 Frankfurt

Germany

Phone: +49 69 79829373

Fax: +49 69 79829374

Email: PharmacolNat@em.uni-frankfurt.de