Document Detail


Aripiprazole differentially affects mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic transmission: implications for long-term drug efficacy and low extrapyramidal side-effects.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19203411     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Aripiprazole has been used effectively to treat schizophrenia in the clinic; however, its mechanisms of action are not clear. This study examined how short- and long-term aripiprazole treatment affects dopaminergic transmission in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal pathways. For comparison, the effects of haloperidol and olanzapine treatment were also examined. Aripiprazole significantly increased D2 receptor mRNA expression and decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) after 1- and 12-wk treatment, but had no effect in substantia nigra (SN) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). Aripiprazole also decreased dopamine transporter (DAT) binding density in NAc (for 1- and 12-wk treatment) and VTA (1-wk treatment). In contrast, haloperidol significantly increased D2 receptor binding density and decreased DAT binding density in NAc and caudate putamen (CPu) after 1- and 12-wk treatment, and it also decreases DAT binding in VTA after 12-wk treatment. Olanzapine had less widespread effects, namely an increase in D2 receptor mRNA in VTA after 12-wk treatment and decreased DAT binding in NAc after 1-wk treatment. These results suggest that aripiprazole has selective effects on the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Selectively reducing dopamine synthesis in VTA is a possible therapeutic mechanism for the long-term efficacy of aripiprazole in controlling schizophrenia symptoms with reduced extrapyramidal side-effects.
Authors:
Mei Han; Xu-Feng Huang; Chao Deng
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2009-02-10
Journal Detail:
Title:  The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology / official scientific journal of the Collegium Internationale Neuropsychopharmacologicum (CINP)     Volume:  12     ISSN:  1469-5111     ISO Abbreviation:  Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol.     Publication Date:  2009 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-05-17     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9815893     Medline TA:  Int J Neuropsychopharmacol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  941-52     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Centre for Translational Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
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