K. Blum et al., THE D-2 DOPAMINE-RECEPTOR GENE AS A DETERMINANT OF REWARD DEFICIENCY SYNDROME, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 89(7), 1996, pp. 396-400
The dopaminergic system, and in particular the dopamine D-2 receptor,
has been profoundly implicated in reward mechanisms in the brain, Dysf
unction of the D-2 dopamine receptors leads to aberrant substance seek
ing behaviour (alcohol, drug, tobacco, and food) and other related beh
aviours (pathological gambling, Tourette's syndrome, and attention def
icit hyperactivity disorder). We propose that variants of the D-2 dopa
mine receptor gene are important common genetic determinants of the 'r
eward deficiency syndrome'.