OPPOSITE MODULATION OF COCAINE-SEEKING BEHAVIOR BY D-1-LIKE AND D-2-LIKE DOPAMINE-RECEPTOR AGONISTS

Activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system is known to trigger relap se in animal models of cocaine-seeking behavior. We found that this '' priming'' effect was selectively induced by D-2-like, and not by D-1-l ike, dopamine receptor agonists in rats. Moreover, D-1-like receptor a gonists prevented cocaine-seeking behavior induced by cocaine itself, whereas D-1-like receptor agonists enhanced this behavior, These resul ts demonstrate an important dissociation between D-1- and D-2-like rec eptor processes in cocaine-seeking behavior and support further evalua tion of D-1-like receptor agonists as a possible pharmacotherapy for c ocaine addiction.