Reversal of two manifestations of dopamine receptor supersensitivity by administration of L-dopa.

Rats treated chronically with dopamine receptor blockers were found to have an increase in striatal 3H-dopamine binding and adenylate cyclase activity as manifestations of receptor supersensitivity. Both the increase in binding and in adenylate cyclase activity were reversed by chronic 1-dopa treatment, presumably by increasing the supply of specific ligand (dopamine). The use of deliberate receptor sensitivity manipulation may be useful as a treatment for conditions involving disturbances in receptor sensitivity such as tardive dyskinesia and insulin resistant diabetes.