Tetrahydropalmatine is a tetrahydroprotoberberine isoquinoline alkaloid that is a primary active constituent of herbal preparations containing plant species of the genera Stephania and Corydalis. The levo isomer of THP (L-THP) appears to contribute to many of the therapeutic effects of these preparations. The pharmacological profile of L-THP, which includes antagonism of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors and actions at dopamine D3, suggests that it may have utility for treating addiction. Clinical trials where L-THP was used for the treatment of cocaine and heroin addiction have promising results. The clinical trial is planned for the treatment of schizophrenia. L-Tetrahydropalmatine is recorded in the Chinese pharmacopoeia.

Dihydrexidine, a novel full efficacy D1 dopamine receptor agonist. Dihydrexidine was shown to stimulate cyclic AMP synthesis just as well or better than dopamine. It was the first dopamine D1 receptor agonist that had potent antiparkinsonian activity in a primate model of Parkinson's disease. Dihydrexidine produces hypothermia. Dihydrexidine has been shown to alleviate cognitive deficits or enhance cognitive performance in a number of animal models of cognition. It is under investigation for the improving the cognitive and working memory deficits in schizophrenia and schizotypal disorder.

Quinpirole (LY 171,555) is a psychoactive drug and research chemical which acts as a selective D2 and D3 receptor agonist. Quinpirole is the most widely used D2 agonist in in vivo and in vitro studies. Specific quinpirole binding in rat brain was saturable, and dependent on temperature, membrane concentration, sodium concentration and guanine nucleotides. Saturation analysis revealed high affinity binding characteristics (KD = 2.3 nM) which were confirmed by association-dissociation kinetics. The regional distribution of [3H]quinpirole binding sites roughly paralleled the distribution of [3H]spiperone binding sites, with greatest densities present in the striatum, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercles. A variety of drugs, most notably monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOls), inhibit the binding of [3H]quinpirole, but not [3H]spiperone or [3H](-)N-n-Propylnorapomorphine, in rat striatal membranes by a mechanism that does not appear to involve the enzymatic activity of MAO. Clinically antidepressant MAOIs exhibited selectivity between sites labeled by [3H]quinpirole and [3H]spiperone as did a number of structurally related propargylamines and N-acylethylenediamine derivatives and other drugs such as debrisoquin and phenylbiguanide. Quinpirole has been shown to increase locomotion and sniffing behavior in mice and induces compulsive behavior symptomatic of obsessive compulsive disorder in rats.

Fluperlapine is dibenzazepine chemically and pharmacologically similar to clozapine. Fluperlapine had no cataleptogenic effect and did not inhibit the apomorphine- and d-amphetamine-induced stereotypes. Fluperlapine is fairly effective neuroleptic drug with a fast-acting antipsychotic affect. The effects in movement disorders imply that fluperlapine is less liable than traditional neuroleptics to induce acute extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyskinesia and is particularly beneficial in the treatment of patients vulnerable to neurological side-effects. It was demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions including schizophrenia, psychosis associated with Parkinson's disease and dystonia. It has the capacity for producing life-threatening agranulocytosis.

Odapipam is a benzazepine with high affinity and selectivity for D1-dopamine receptors. Labeled with C-11, it has been used as a PET radiotracer to visualize D1 receptors both in striatal and extrastriatal areas, such as the prefrontal cortex. Odapipam inhibits dopamine D1 receptor binding in vitro with low nanomolar to picomolar dissociation constants. The affinity of [11C]NNC 756 for D1 receptors is 0.18 nM. Odapipam was tested in phase I of clinical trials for the treatment of psychotic disorders, but failed.

Ecopipam (SCH-39166) is a selective D1 dopamine receptor antagonist both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, it exhibits saturable, high-affinity binding to D5 receptors. Ecopipam was studied clinically for a variety of indications, including schizophrenia, drug abuse, and obesity, but in each case undesirable effects were observed. Currently, ecopipam is in clinical trials for the treatment of Lesch-Nyhan and Gilles de la Tourette's syndromes.

ISOCLOZAPINE is typical antipsychotic that acts by blocking the receptors in the brain’s dopamine pathways. Isoclozapine has high affinities at both DA (D1 and D2) and serotonin (5-HT2A and 5-HT2C) receptors. Isoclozapine shows the greatest antipsychotic potential on inhibition of apomorphine-induced climbing in mice at quite low doses under sc or po administrations. However, Isoclozapine also produces catalepsy at low doses.

(S)-SKF-83959 (MCL 201) is enantiomer of D1 receptor agonist SKF-83959. (S)-SKF-83959 is reported to be a functionally selective dopamine D1 receptor ligand with much lower affinity to dopamine D2, D3 and D5 receptors. (R)-SKF-83959 like SKF-83959, produced dose related effects on overt behavior (eye blinking) and schedule-controlled performance in squirrel monkeys. (R)-SKF-83959 increases in eye blinking and decreases in rates of fixed-ratio responding. In contrast to the effects of its S-(-) enantiomer, was relatively devoid of behavioral activity up to doses that were approximately 10-fold greater than (R)-SKF-83959.

(R)-SKF-83959 (MCL 202) is enantiomer of D1 receptor agonist SKF-83959. (R)-SKF-83959 is reported to be a functionally selective dopamine D1 and D5 receptors ligand with much lower affinity to dopamine D2 and D3 receptors. (R)-SKF-83959 like SKF-83959, produced dose related effects on overt behavior (eye blinking) and schedule-controlled performance in squirrel monkeys. (R)-SKF-83959 increases in eye blinking and decreases in rates of fixed-ratio responding. In contrast to the effects of its S-(-) enantiomer, was relatively devoid of behavioral activity up to doses that were approximately 10-fold greater than (R)-SKF-83959. Pretreatment with the selective D1- like receptor antagonist SCH 39166 dose-dependently antagonized increases in eye blinking produced by (R)-SKF-83959, confirming the involvement of D1 mechanisms in its effects.