Partial agonists of dopamine receptors: receptor theory and the dopamine hypothesis of psychosis (Cookson, Pimm, 2023)

Cookson J., Pimm J. 

BJPsych Advances 2023;29(2): 141-144. 

Available online at this link 

This article discusses dopamine partial agonism, which is the main mechanism of action of the psychiatric drugs aripiprazole, brexpiprazole and cariprazine. It outlines the principles of receptor theory and the structure of dopamine receptors; characterises agonists, antagonists and partial agonists; and summarises the dopamine hypothesis of psychosis and the role of dopamine and serotonin in depression.Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.