Dopamine D2 receptors in the cerebellum: modulation of social behavior.

This review presents a systematic analysis of the cerebellar dopaminergic system and its role in regulating social behavior. It examines the mechanisms of dopamine synthesis and transmission, the main types and signaling pathways of dopamine receptors, and data on the localization and functional significance of these receptors in cerebellar cells, particularly D2 receptors. Special attention is given to experimental results demonstrating that modulation of D2 receptors in the cerebellum affects social preferences and memory in animals. The connections between the cerebellum and dopaminergic zones of the midbrain (VTA, SNpc) and their potential involvement in psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, autism) are also discussed. It is shown that further study of the cerebellar dopaminergic system opens up prospects for developing new therapeutic approaches aimed at correcting social function disorders and related cognitive and emotional problems.