Partial Dopamine Agonists May Treat Both Schizophrenia and Cannabis Addiction Simultaneously
A preclinical review and modeling study suggests partial D2/D3 dopamine receptor agonists like cariprazine could treat both psychotic symptoms and cannabis use disorder simultaneously by stabilizing dysregulated dopamine signaling.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Partial D2/D3 agonists (aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, cariprazine) have unique pharmacology: they activate dopamine receptors enough to prevent withdrawal/craving but not enough to worsen psychosis. Computational modeling predicted cariprazine would best balance antipsychotic and anti-addiction properties due to its high D3 affinity. Preliminary clinical evidence supports reduced cannabis use in schizophrenia patients on partial agonists.
Key Numbers
25-50% CUD comorbidity in schizophrenia. Three partial agonists modeled. Cariprazine predicted optimal due to D3 preference. Preliminary clinical data supports reduced cannabis use.
How They Did This
Narrative review of preclinical and clinical evidence combined with computational receptor occupancy modeling for three partial D2/D3 agonists across dopamine signaling scenarios.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use disorder co-occurs in 25-50% of schizophrenia patients and worsens outcomes. Current antipsychotics do not address the addiction. A medication that treats both could significantly improve outcomes for this dual-diagnosis population.
The Bigger Picture
Treating co-occurring disorders with a single medication reduces pill burden, side effects, and treatment complexity. The partial agonist concept — not fully blocking or activating receptors — represents a paradigm shift in psychopharmacology.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Primarily theoretical with computational modeling. Limited clinical evidence for anti-cannabis effects. Individual responses vary widely. D3 receptor role in cannabis addiction still debated.
Questions This Raises
- ?Will randomized trials confirm cariprazine reduces cannabis use in schizophrenia?
- ?Could partial agonists help cannabis use disorder in non-psychotic populations?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Innovative computational approach with biological rationale, but primarily theoretical with limited clinical validation.
- Study Age:
- 2025 review with receptor occupancy modeling for dual-diagnosis treatment.
- Original Title:
- Partial Dopamine D2/3 Agonists and Dual Disorders: A Retrospective-Cohort Study in a Real-World Clinical Setting on Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Cannabis Use Disorder.
- Published In:
- Current neuropharmacology, 23(8), 996-1006 (2025)
- Authors:
- Trovini, Giada(2), Lombardozzi, Ginevra(2), Kotzalidis, Georgios D(2), Pagano, Ilaria, Amici, Emanuela, Giovanetti, Valeria, Perrini, Filippo, Fagiolini, Andrea, De Filippis, Sergio
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07827
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one medication treat both schizophrenia and cannabis addiction?
This study suggests partial dopamine agonists, especially cariprazine, may address both by stabilizing dopamine signaling — reducing psychotic symptoms without worsening addiction.
Why do so many people with schizophrenia use cannabis?
25-50% of schizophrenia patients have cannabis use disorder. Dopamine dysregulation contributes to both conditions, which is why medications targeting dopamine balance may help both.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07827APA
Trovini, Giada; Lombardozzi, Ginevra; Kotzalidis, Georgios D; Pagano, Ilaria; Amici, Emanuela; Giovanetti, Valeria; Perrini, Filippo; Fagiolini, Andrea; De Filippis, Sergio. (2025). Partial Dopamine D2/3 Agonists and Dual Disorders: A Retrospective-Cohort Study in a Real-World Clinical Setting on Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Cannabis Use Disorder.. Current neuropharmacology, 23(8), 996-1006. https://doi.org/10.2174/011570159X350599241214042724
MLA
Trovini, Giada, et al. "Partial Dopamine D2/3 Agonists and Dual Disorders: A Retrospective-Cohort Study in a Real-World Clinical Setting on Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Cannabis Use Disorder.." Current neuropharmacology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.2174/011570159X350599241214042724
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Partial Dopamine D2/3 Agonists and Dual Disorders: A Retrosp..." RTHC-07827. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/trovini-2025-partial-dopamine-d23-agonists
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.