Dopamine transporter

From Freepedia

The dopamine transporter or DAT is a monoamine transporter that is specific for clearing the neurotransmitter dopamine out of the synapse and into a neuron or glia. The dopamine transporter is important for neural function because it removes excess dopamine from the synapse, effectively ending the signalling properties of the neurotransmitter.

Cocaine blocks the action of the dopamine transporter and, to a lesser extent, other transporters. This causes an overload of dopamine in the synapse, since the neurotransmitter cannot be cleared away after it is released.