Abstract
This review examines dopamine (DA) and glutamate receptor interactions in the neostriatum (NS) primarily from a neurophysiological perspective. Historically, a clear understanding of the function of DA in the NS has been difficult because it was considered a classical neurotransmitter with either excitatory or inhibitory actions and because many of the data were obtained by use of varying methodologies. When DA is considered a neuromodulator whose role is to alter how NS cells respond to glutamatergic inputs, many of its actions can be accounted for and predicted with great accuracy within a model of receptor subtype. In this model, DA via activation of D1 receptors potentiates responses mediated by activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. DA via activation of D2 receptors attenuates responses mediated by activation of non-NMDA receptors. Outcomes of combinations of NMDA and D2 and non-NMDA and D1 receptors are not as predictable. The mechanisms underlying the D1-NMDA receptor interactions appear to involve alterations in cell excitability mediated by activation of Ca2+ conductances and/or phosphorylation of NMDA receptors. Less is known about mechanisms underlying the D2-non-NMDA receptor interaction. The functional implications of this model in setting membrane potentials, signal-to-noise ratio, plasticity and excitotoxicity are discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Afferent Pathways / physiology
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Aging / physiology
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Animals
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Calcium / metabolism
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Calcium Channels / physiology
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Calcium Channels, L-Type
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Cerebral Cortex / physiology
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Cyclic AMP / physiology
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Dopamine / physiology*
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Dopamine Agents / pharmacology
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Embryonic and Fetal Development / physiology
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Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacology
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Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
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Glutamic Acid / physiology*
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Humans
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Ion Transport / drug effects
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Models, Neurological
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Neostriatum / physiology*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
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Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
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Neurons / classification
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / metabolism
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Rats
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Receptors, Dopamine / classification
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Receptors, Dopamine / drug effects
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Receptors, Dopamine / physiology*
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Receptors, Glutamate / classification
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Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects
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Receptors, Glutamate / physiology
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology*
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Substantia Nigra / physiology
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Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
Substances
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Calcium Channels
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Calcium Channels, L-Type
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Dopamine Agents
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Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
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Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Receptors, Dopamine
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Receptors, Glutamate
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
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Glutamic Acid
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Cyclic AMP
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Calcium
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Dopamine