Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. kent.jardemark@fyfa.ki.se
The findings that dopamine D3 and D4 receptors are highly expressed in limbic and cortical areas (D4 more than D3), and the fact that the atypical drug clozapine has preferential affinity for the D4 receptors have suggested an involvement of these receptors in schizophrenia. Subsequently, many pharmaceutical companies have pursued the approach of developing selective dopamine D3 or D4 antagonists as potential antipsychotics. This review will discuss the current status of selective dopamine D3 and D4 receptor antagonists for the treatment of schizophrenia.