Daiga M. Helmeste and Siu Wa Tang
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Irvine, North Campus
Zot 1681, Irvine, California 92697ﾐ1681, USA
Abstract: Initial investigations on dopamine D4 receptors
generated much interest in the role of this receptor in schizophrenia and
other aspects of human behavior, as well as new opportunities for novel
therapeutics. However, attempts to treat patients suffering from schizophrenia
with dopamine D4 agents have failed to yield satisfactory results
so far. An examination of the dopamine D4 literature shows that
contrasting and conflicting data seemed to be the norm in this field of
research. This paper reviews the literature on the dopamine D4
receptor and discusses many of the associated methodological problems that
might have contributed to the paradoxical findings.
Keywords: Dopamine receptor, D4, Schizophrenia, Antipsychotic
drug, Receptor polymorphism