Trace amine associated receptor 1 and movement control

The recently discovered trace amine associated receptors (TAARs) represent attractive potential mediators of certain aspects of movement control. The TAAR that is best characterized, TAAR1, is particularly interesting because it can be activated by a variety of monoaminergic compounds including trace amines, amphetamines and dopamine metabolites. By using an experimental paradigm developed in our laboratory that involves a novel model of acute dopamine deficiency (DDD mice), and mice lacking TAAR1 (TAAR1 knockout mice), we explored the role of TAAR1 in movement control and actions of antiparkinsonian drugs. These investigations may eventually bring novel approaches to the pharmacology of Parkinson's disease.