Abstract
An extensive literature supports the role of dopamine in the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence. Yet the organization of brain dopamine is complex, with multiple dopamine receptor subtypes and distinct effects on reinforcement, craving, motivation and behavior. Several modestly effective pharmacological treatments for alcoholism, including naltrexone, baclofen and ondansetron, affect dopaminergic systems indirectly. Direct dopamine antagonists, including tiapride, quetiapine, ondansetron and clozapine have been shown to be somewhat effective in reducing alcohol consumption in controlled clinical trials. The partial dopamine agonist, aripiprazole has shown mixed efficacy. Dopaminergic medications can have significant side effects. A better understanding of how dopamine affects the various aspects of addictive behavior may lead to more effective medications.
Keywords: Dopamine, alcohol, pharmacotherapy, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Medications Acting on the Dopaminergic System in the Treatment of Alcoholic Patients
Volume: 16 Issue: 19
Author(s): Robert Swift
Affiliation:
Keywords: Dopamine, alcohol, pharmacotherapy, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens
Abstract: An extensive literature supports the role of dopamine in the development and maintenance of alcohol dependence. Yet the organization of brain dopamine is complex, with multiple dopamine receptor subtypes and distinct effects on reinforcement, craving, motivation and behavior. Several modestly effective pharmacological treatments for alcoholism, including naltrexone, baclofen and ondansetron, affect dopaminergic systems indirectly. Direct dopamine antagonists, including tiapride, quetiapine, ondansetron and clozapine have been shown to be somewhat effective in reducing alcohol consumption in controlled clinical trials. The partial dopamine agonist, aripiprazole has shown mixed efficacy. Dopaminergic medications can have significant side effects. A better understanding of how dopamine affects the various aspects of addictive behavior may lead to more effective medications.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Swift Robert, Medications Acting on the Dopaminergic System in the Treatment of Alcoholic Patients, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2010; 16 (19) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210791516323
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210791516323 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Estimation of Affinity of HLA-A*0201 Restricted CTL Epitope Based on the SCORE Function
Protein & Peptide Letters A Sequential Ensemble Model for Communicable Disease Forecasting
Current Bioinformatics Cysteine-, Methionine- and Seleno-Cysteine-Proline Chimeras: Synthesis and Their Use in Peptidomimetics Design
Current Bioactive Compounds Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Ligands Selective for the Melanocortin-3 Receptor
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry UPLC-DAD Assisted Phytochemical Quantitation Reveals a Sex, Ploidy and Ecogeography Specificity in the Expression Levels of Selected Secondary Metabolites in Medicinal Tinospora cordifolia: Implications for Elites’ Identification Program
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Antiplatelet Therapies: Platelet GPIIb / IIIa Antagonists and Beyond
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neurosteroid PREGS Protects Neurite Growth and Survival of Newborn Neurons in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus of APPswe/PS1dE9 Mice
Current Alzheimer Research Natural Anti-Cancer Agents: Implications in Gemcitabine-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Neurotensin NTS1-Dopamine D2 Receptor-Receptor Interactions in Putative Receptor Heteromers: Relevance for Parkinson`s Disease and Schizophrenia
Current Protein & Peptide Science Targeting New Pharmacological Approaches for Alzheimer’s Disease: Potential for Statins and Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Drugs of Abuse: Epigenetic Mechanisms in Toxicity and Addiction
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nitrones: A Potential New Alternative as Therapeutic Agents
Current Organic Chemistry Current Progresses of Novel Natural Products and Their Derivatives/ Analogs as Anti-Alzheimer Candidates: an Update
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry A Single Use Biosensor for the Detection of Nitric Oxide (NO) at ppb and sub-μM Level in Gas-and Liquid- Phase Media
Current Biomarkers (Discontinued) Human Cognition Assessment in Drug Research
Current Pharmaceutical Design Confocal Microscopy Evidence of Prion Protein Fragment hPrP[173-195] Internalization in Rat B104 Neuroblastoma Cell Line
Protein & Peptide Letters GLP-1 Agonists and Satiety
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Preoperative Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Current Medical Imaging Melatonin and Renal Protection: Novel Perspectives from Animal Experiments and Human Studies (Review)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Agar/Chitosan IPN Thin Hydrogel Films with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties for Potential Dressing Applications
Current Applied Polymer Science