DOPAMINE RECEPTOR AGONISTS IN BRAIN RESEARCH AND AS THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

The development of DA receptor agonists, especially of the dopaminergic ergot derivatives, have proved helpful in understanding the role of dopaminergic mechanisms in the central nervous system and in human diseases. The studies especially with bromocriptine have also demonstrated that DA receptor agonists can be important therapeutic tools in medicine. The endocrinologists use bromocriptine to lower prolactin secretion in various endocrinological diseases and to treat acromegalic patients. The neurologists have demonstrated that bromocriptine is a potent antiparkinsonian agent. It seems likely that among the dopaminergic ergot derivatives it will be possible to find an antiparkinsonian agent superior to l-DOPA. © 1979.