[Heterodimeric D1-D2 dopamine receptors: a review].

This review summarizes modern data on the structure and functions ofheteromersformed by D1 and D2 dopamine receptors focusing on their role in the mechanisms of drug dependence. This article discusses potential functional significance of heterodimeric D1-D2 dopamine receptorsdue to their localization in the brain as well as unique pharmacological propertiesversus constituent monomers. It is shown that heteromerization results in dramatic changes in activated signaling pathways compare to the corresponding monomers.

[Neuromediator systems in the mechanisms of remission and recurrence in alcoholism].

Experiments on chronically alcoholic rats have revealed profound changes in the properties of the brain dopamine, serotonin, GABA and opiate systems 48 hours and 2 months of alcohol deprivation. With this, a single administration of ethanol showed its increased sensitivity of striatal and hippocampal receptors both during short- and long-term alcohol deprivation, the properties of these receptors tended towards recovery. It may be suggested that the above changes in the receptor apparatus of the neurotransmitter systems underlie the mechanism of remission and recurrence in alcoholism.

Some biological mechanisms of the inborn predisposition to alcoholism.

The children of alcoholism patients have a high biological risk of this illness, mental and emotional disorders, and behavioral disturbances. The offspring of white mongrel rats with chronic alcohol intoxication were investigated in order to study the neurochemical mechanisms of these phenomena. The content of DA in blood and blood plasma, the characteristics of GABA and the opiate receptors of the brain, the activity of DBH, COMT, MAO, the content of cAMP and cGMP in brain tissue, as well as the expression of the gene c-fos were studied.