The modulatory effects of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor function on object working memory in humans

Bartholomeusz, Cali F.
Box, Georgia
Van Rooy, Cindy
Nathan, Pradeep J.

Neuropsychopharmacology Research Unit, Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Neuropsychopharmacology Research Unit, Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia; [email protected]

Journal of Psychopharmacology 17(1):p 9-15, January 2003. | DOI: 10.1177/0269881103017001688

The role of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in modulating object working memory in humans is poorly understood. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of D1 and D2 receptor modulation on object working memory. Twelve healthy subjects underwent testing under three conditions [0.05 mg pergolide (D1/D2 receptor agonist), 2.5 mg bromocriptine (D2 receptor agonist) and placebo] in a double-blind, placebo-controlled repeated measures design. Subjects performed the object working memory N-back task pre-drug and 1.5 h and 3 h post-drug administration. Neither pergolide nor bromocriptine had an effect on object working memory performance. These findings suggest that object working memory may not be modulated by D1 and D2 receptors in humans.