Opposite Modulation of Cocaine-Seeking Behavior by D 1 - and D 2 -Like Dopamine Receptor Agonists

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Abstract
Activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system is known to trigger relapse in animal models of cocaine-seeking behavior. We found that this “priming” effect was selectively induced by D 2 -like, and not by D 1 -like, dopamine receptor agonists in rats. Moreover, D 1 -like receptor agonists prevented cocaine-seeking behavior induced by cocaine itself, whereas D 2 -like receptor agonists enhanced this behavior. These results demonstrate an important dissociation between D 1 - and D 2 -like receptor processes in cocaine-seeking behavior and support further evaluation of D 1 -like receptor agonists as a possible pharmacotherapy for cocaine addiction.

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