SB-277,011A is a drug which acts as a potent and selective
dopamine D3 receptor antagonist, which is around 80-100x selective for D
3 over D
2, and lacks any
partial agonist
In pharmacology, partial agonists are drugs that bind to and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist. They may also be considered ligands which display both agonistic and antagonis ...
activity.
SB-277,011A is used in the study of
addiction
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use o ...
to
stimulant drugs such as
nicotine
Nicotine is a natural product, naturally produced alkaloid in the nightshade family of plants (most predominantly in tobacco and ''Duboisia hopwoodii'') and is widely used recreational drug use, recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic. As ...
and
cocaine
Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South Ameri ...
. Where cocaine reduces the threshold for brain electrical self-stimulation in rats, an indication of cocaine's
rewarding effects, SB-277,011A completely reverses this effect. It may thus be useful in the treatment of addiction to nicotine and cocaine, and is also being investigated for potential uses in the treatment of other drug addictions, such as addiction to
heroin and
alcohol.
Another potential application for SB-277,011A is in the treatment of
schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social wit ...
, and it may be particularly useful in treating
comorbid
In medicine, comorbidity - from Latin morbus ("sickness"), co ("together"), -ity (as if - several sicknesses together) - is the presence of one or more additional conditions often co-occurring (that is, concomitant or concurrent) with a primary ...
patients who are both schizophrenic and addicted to drugs. However it may worsen side effects such as
tardive dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a disorder that results in involuntary repetitive body movements, which may include grimacing, sticking out the tongue or smacking the lips. Additionally, there may be rapid jerking movements or slow writhing movemen ...
in patients who are already prescribed
antipsychotic
Antipsychotics, also known as neuroleptics, are a class of psychotropic medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia but also in a range of ...
drugs.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sb-277, 011-A
D3 antagonists
Quinolines
Carboxamides
Tetrahydroisoquinolines
Benzonitriles