Dopaminergic agent

We will now examine two classes of agents—dopaminergic agents and antidepressants—in more detail. 

Because chronic cocaine use appears to reduce the efficiency of central dopamine neurotransmission, a number of dopaminergic compounds, including amantadine, bromocriptine, mazindol, and methylphenidate, have been examined as treatments for cocaine abuse. It is thought that these relatively slow-onset dopaminergic agents, with low or relatively low abuse potential, would correct the dopamine dysregulation and alleviate withdrawal symptoms following chronic stimulant use. 

Ando, K. Johanson, C.E. and Seiden, L.S. Sensitivity changes to dopaminergic agents in fine motor control of rhesus monkeys after repeated methamphetamine administration. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 22 737-743, 1985. 

Lucot, J.B. Wagner, G.C. Schuster, C.R. and Seiden, L.S. The effects of dopaminergic agents on the locomotor activity of rats after high doses of methylamphetamine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 13 409-413, 1980. 

Dopaminergic agents are frequently given at bedtime or 2 hours prior to bedtime or the anticipated onset of RLS symptoms. 

The family Celastraceae consists of about 50 genera and 800 species of trees, shrubs, or climbers known to produce a series of phenethylamine alkaloids that might hold some potentials as sources of dopaminergic agents. About 30 plant species of Celastraceae are medicinal in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Rothman R., Glowaw J. A review of the effects of dopaminergic agents on human, animals, and drug-seeking behavior, and its implications for medication development. Mol. Neurobiol. 10 1, 1995. 

Other examples of secondary benzamides include the therapeutic class of orthopramides, which are, again, markedly resistant to hydrolysis. Thus, hydrolysis of the amide bond is a minor metabolic pathway in humans for the antiemetic drug metoclopramide (4.76) [49]. Clebopride (4.77), an anti-dopaminergic agent, was found to be hydrolyzed to a limited extent in rabbit liver homogenates and in dogs to 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (4.78) and to the amine 4.79 [48] [50], Attempts to detect in vivo formation of this metabolite in rats, rabbits, or humans were not successful [50],... 

If the hypothesis of a relationship between dopaminergic activity and mental speed is correct, dopaminergic agents should improve cognitive speed. The hypothesis received partial support from studies showing that levodopa may improve arousal, awakening and mood, at least in the initial phase of treatment (Dubois Pillon, 1992). However, Pillon et al. (1989) did not find such... 

Levodopa or dopamine agonists produce diverse dyskinesias as a dose-related phenomenon in patients with Parkinson s disease dose reduction reverses them. Chorea may also develop in patients receiving phenytoin, carbamazepine, amphetamines, lithium, and oral contraceptives, and it resolves with discontinuance of the offending medication. Dystonia has resulted from administration of dopaminergic agents, lithium, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, carbamazepine, and metoclopramide and postural tremor from theophylline, caffeine, lithium, valproic acid, thyroid hormone, tricyclic antidepressants, and isoproterenol. 

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