Perspective Chapter: The Role of Dopamine Receptors in Neuropsychiatric Diseases

Abstract

Dopamine is a key regulator neurotransmitter in the important cognitive and intellectual functions of the brain. This neurotransmitter in a structure of catecholamine is responsible for motivation, movement, reward-punishment, mood, memory, attention and more functions in central nervous system. This large effect area gives dopamine high importance in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases. Dopamine shows its effects through dopamine receptors that are G protein-coupled receptors ranging from D1 to D5. Changes in the activity of these receptors are associated with diseases like schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and addiction. This relationship between dopamine receptors and neuropsychiatric diseases has made these receptors main target in the strategy of clinic researches. Cognitive physiological functions of dopamine and the role of dopamine receptors in the common neuropsychiatric diseases are focused in this chapter.