Research Progress of PET Molecular Probes Targeting Dopamine D3 Receptor

Dopamine D3 receptors are closely related to drug addiction, Parkinson’s disease (PD), schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric diseases. PET imaging agents that target dopamine D3 receptors can noninvasively show changes in receptor density and status, thus revealing the origin and development process of disease and providing a basis for treatment. However, because dopamine D3 receptors have high similarity with D2 receptors hinders the selectivity of existing D3 receptors PET imaging agents, which limits the study of the mechanism of action of dopamine D3 receptors in neural networks. It is of great significance to develop high specificity, affinity, selective D3 receptor probe for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the central nervous system. This article reviewed the 18F and 11C radiolabeled PET molecular probes including tetrahydropyrrole derivatives, aminotetralin derivatives and phenylpiperazines derivatives. Furthermore, the challenges in the development of D3 receptor probes also be discussed, aiming to provide valuable insights for future probe advancements.