Surreal illustration of a brain highlighting dopamine receptors in the VTA, symbolizing addiction and relapse.

Unlocking the Brain's Secrets: How Dopamine Receptors Impact Addiction and Relapse

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"New research sheds light on the crucial role of dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and their influence on morphine-seeking behavior, offering potential targets for future addiction treatments."

Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder, and a critical challenge in addiction treatment is preventing relapse during periods of abstinence. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive relapse is crucial for developing effective therapeutic interventions. Research has shown that stress and drug re-exposure can trigger relapse, but the specific brain circuits and neurotransmitters involved are complex and not fully understood.

Dopamine, a key neurotransmitter in the brain's reward system, plays a significant role in both drug-priming-induced and cue-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. The ventral tegmental area (VTA), a major source of dopamine neurons, is a critical region implicated in reward and stress processes. Given dopamine's involvement in relapse, researchers have been investigating the specific dopamine receptors within the VTA that contribute to drug-seeking behavior.

Recent research published in Behavioural Pharmacology has investigated the effects of dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptor antagonists within the VTA on morphine-seeking behavior in rats. This article explores the findings of this study, highlighting the role of these receptors in stress-induced and drug-priming-induced reinstatement of morphine seeking. By understanding these mechanisms, we can gain insights into potential targets for developing more effective addiction treatments.

Dopamine Receptors in the VTA: Key Players in Relapse

Surreal illustration of a brain highlighting dopamine receptors in the VTA, symbolizing addiction and relapse.

The study examined the impact of blocking D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptors in the VTA on two types of relapse triggers: drug priming (re-exposure to morphine) and food deprivation (a stressor). Rats were trained to associate a specific environment with morphine, and once this association was extinguished, researchers administered either SCH-23390 (a D1-like receptor antagonist) or sulpiride (a D2-like receptor antagonist) directly into the VTA.

The researchers then tested whether these antagonists could prevent the reinstatement of morphine-seeking behavior induced by either a priming dose of morphine or food deprivation combined with a low dose of morphine. The findings revealed that:

D1-like and D2-like receptor antagonists attenuated drug-priming-induced reinstatement: Blocking either type of receptor reduced the likelihood that rats would seek morphine after being re-exposed to the drug.
D1-like and D2-like receptor antagonists attenuated food-deprivation-induced reinstatement: Blocking either type of receptor also reduced morphine-seeking behavior triggered by food deprivation, a stressor known to promote relapse.
The effect was more pronounced under stress: The reduction in morphine-seeking was more significant in animals that experienced food deprivation, suggesting a stronger role for these receptors in stress-related relapse.

These findings suggest that both D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptors within the VTA play a crucial role in mediating relapse to morphine seeking, whether triggered by re-exposure to the drug itself or by exposure to a stressor like food deprivation. This highlights the importance of the VTA dopaminergic system in the cycle of addiction and relapse.

Implications for Addiction Treatment

This research provides valuable insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction and relapse. By identifying the specific dopamine receptors within the VTA that contribute to drug-seeking behavior, researchers can focus on developing targeted therapies to prevent relapse.

The findings suggest that medications that modulate the activity of D1-like and D2-like receptors in the VTA may be effective in reducing drug-seeking behavior and preventing relapse in individuals struggling with addiction. Further research is needed to explore the potential of these receptors as therapeutic targets and to develop safe and effective treatments.

Understanding the interplay between stress and the dopamine system is also crucial for developing comprehensive addiction treatment strategies. Addressing stress management and coping skills in addiction treatment programs may help to reduce the likelihood of stress-induced relapse and improve long-term recovery outcomes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000381, Alternate LINK

Title: Role Of D1-Like And D2-Like Dopamine Receptors Within The Ventral Tegmental Area In Stress-Induced And Drug Priming-Induced Reinstatement Of Morphine Seeking In Rats

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Behavioural Pharmacology

Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Authors: Sharareh Farahimanesh, Marzieh Moradi, Farzaneh Nazari-Serenjeh, Shahram Zarrabian, Abbas Haghparast

Published: 2018-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What role do dopamine receptors play in addiction and relapse?

Dopamine receptors, specifically D1-like and D2-like receptors, located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), are crucial. These receptors are activated by dopamine, a neurotransmitter heavily involved in the brain's reward system. When someone is exposed to cues associated with drug use, or experiences stress, these dopamine receptors in the VTA are activated, triggering intense cravings and driving drug-seeking behavior. Blocking these receptors can disrupt this process and reduce the likelihood of relapse.

How did the study specifically investigate the impact of D1-like and D2-like receptors on morphine-seeking behavior?

The study specifically examined the effects of blocking D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptors within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on morphine-seeking behavior in rats. Researchers used SCH-23390 to block D1-like receptors and sulpiride to block D2-like receptors. They then observed how these antagonists affected the rats' tendency to seek morphine after being exposed to either a priming dose of morphine or food deprivation (a stressor). The study found that blocking either type of receptor reduced morphine-seeking behavior, especially under stress, highlighting their role in relapse.

What is 'drug-priming-induced reinstatement,' and how are D1-like and D2-like receptors involved?

Drug-priming-induced reinstatement refers to the phenomenon where re-exposure to a drug, like morphine, after a period of abstinence can trigger renewed drug-seeking behavior. The study revealed that both D1-like and D2-like receptor antagonists within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) attenuated drug-priming-induced reinstatement. This means that blocking these receptors reduced the likelihood that rats would seek morphine after receiving a priming dose, suggesting that these receptors play a significant role in the relapse triggered by drug re-exposure.

How does food deprivation relate to relapse, and what does the research suggest about the role of dopamine receptors in this process?

Food deprivation, in the context of this study, serves as a stressor that can induce relapse to drug-seeking behavior. Research indicates that stress can significantly increase the likelihood of relapse. The study demonstrated that blocking D1-like and D2-like receptors within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) attenuated food-deprivation-induced reinstatement of morphine seeking. The reduction in morphine-seeking was more pronounced in animals that experienced food deprivation, suggesting that these receptors are particularly important in stress-related relapse.

What are the potential implications of this dopamine receptor research for addiction treatment?

The finding that both D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play a role in relapse opens new avenues for developing targeted therapies. Future research could focus on creating medications that selectively modulate the activity of these receptors, potentially reducing cravings and preventing relapse in individuals struggling with addiction. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which these receptors contribute to relapse could also lead to personalized treatment approaches, where therapies are tailored to an individual's specific neurobiological profile.