Dopamine D(1) and D(3) receptors oppositely regulate NMDA- and cocaine-induced MAPK signaling via NMDA receptor phosphorylation.

Development of drug addiction involves complex molecular changes in the CNS. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays a key role in mediating neuronal activation induced by dopamine, glutamate, and drugs of abuse. We previously showed that dopamine D(1) and D(3) receptors play different roles in regulating cocaine-induced MAPK activation.