The dopamine hypothesis of the reinforcing properties of cocaine.

Trends in neurosciences ·Vol. 14 ·No. 7 ·1991-07-00 ·Pages 299-302

Kuhar MJ, Ritz MC, Boja JW

Abstract

A variety of evidence suggests a 'dopamine hypothesis' for the reinforcing properties of cocaine. This hypothesis proposes that cocaine binds at the dopamine transporter and mainly inhibits neurotransmitter re-uptake; the resulting potentiation of dopaminergic neurotransmission in mesolimbocortical pathways ultimately causes reinforcement. This model suggests potential medications for treatment of cocaine abuse and dependence. Some, but not all, pharmacological data in humans support the hypothesis and additional experimentation is needed.

MeSH Terms

Amphetamine/pharmacology Animals Carrier Proteins/metabolism Cocaine/metabolism,pharmacology Dopamine/physiology Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins Euphoria/drug effects,physiology Humans Limbic System/drug effects,physiology Membrane Glycoproteins Membrane Transport Proteins Models, Biological Nerve Tissue Proteins Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology Protein Binding Reinforcement, Psychology Reward Self Administration Substance-Related Disorders/physiopathology

Chemicals

Carrier Proteins Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins Membrane Glycoproteins Membrane Transport Proteins Nerve Tissue Proteins Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors Amphetamine Cocaine Dopamine

Authors & Affiliations

3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID

Kuhar M J

Neuroscience Branch, Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD 21224.

Ritz M C

Boja J W

Article Info

Journal

Trends in neurosciences

Abbr.

Trends Neurosci

ISSN

0166-2236

DOI

10.1016/0166-2236(91)90141-g

Published

1991-07-00

Pages

299-302

Language

English

Region

England

NLM ID

7808616

Subset

External Links

PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/0166-2236(91)90141-g View journal details

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The dopamine hypothesis of the reinforcing properties of cocaine.

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