Increased dopamine-receptor sensitivity in schizophrenia.
Dopaminergic mechanisms have been investigated in post-mortem brain specimens from nineteen patients with schizophrenia and nineteen controls. Dopamine turnover was not increased in schizophrenic patients but, as assessed by the spiroperidol-binding technique, there was a significant increase in postsynaptic receptor sensitivity. The change in the dopamine receptor occurred in nucleus accumbens, putamen, and caudate nucleus. Increased dopamine-receptor sensitivity was present in five patients who had been free of neuroleptic medication for at least 1 year before death, and therefore may be related to the disease process.
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011699:Putamen / Q000378:metabolism; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D013134:Spiperone / Q000378:metabolism; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D013134:Spiperone; D004298:Dopamine