Psychostimulants, Brain Membrane Lipids and Dopamine Transmission

Abstract

Membrane lipids in the brain play important roles in regulation of the membrane compartmentalization, function and signaling of neurotransmitter transporters and receptors. This review summarizes findings on changes in the composition and metabolism of brain membrane lipids such as phospholipids, cholesterol and sphingolipids following chronic exposure to psychostimulants. We also discussed the mechanisms by which membrane lipids regulate the membrane compartmentalization and function of dopamine transports and receptors in animal brain tissues and cultured cell lines. This review indicates that chronic psychostimulant exposure causes the remodeling of brain membrane lipid, which may contribute to psychostimulant-induced functional alterations in dopamine transporters and receptors. Brain membrane lipids could be exploited as a new avenue for pharmacological interventions of abnormal brain dopamine transmission and dopamine-related addiction behavior.