Multivalent Ligands as Chemical Probes for the Investigation of Dopamine D2 Receptor Pharmacology

The dopamine D₂ receptor is a well-established therapeutic target for the treatment of central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. Although a number of treatments have been developed to target this receptor, our understanding of the structural and pharmacological aspects of the dopamine D₂ receptor are still in its infancy. This thesis describes the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of chemical probes to investigate the structure and pharmacology of the dopamine D₂ receptor. Through this work, it is envisaged that these probes will aid the development of novel treatments for central nervous system disorders with reduced side-effects.