The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a transmembrane protein that is responsible for the reuptake of dopamine (DA) from the synaptic cleft and for the termination of dopaminergic transmission. The DAT is a target of several drugs, including psychostimulants, such as amphetamine and cocaine, and is also subject to short- and long-term regulation by several drugs and mechanisms. Several DAT radioligands have been developed for imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET).




