title: Ritanserin antagonism of m-chlorophenylpiperazine effects in neuroleptic-free schizophrenics patients: support for serotonin-2 receptor modulation of schizophrenia symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serotonin-2 (5-HT(2)) receptor antagonism has been hypothesized to have antipsychotic activity. However, there has been limited evidence directly linking 5-HT(2) receptor antagonism to symptom control in schizophrenic patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In order to test this hypothesis this study evaluated the capacity of pretreatment with the 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist ritanserin to attenuate the effects of the 5-HT agonist, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two male inpatients who met DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed 4 test days during which 10 mg ritanserin or matched placebo was administered orally 50 min prior to the intravenous infusion of 0.1 mg/kg mCPP or saline. The test days were conducted in a randomized order under double-blind conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  mCPP mildly and transiently increased positive symptoms and behavioral activation but not negative symptoms, as assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. mCPP also raised plasma prolactin and cortisol levels. All of these effects were attenuated by ritanserin pretreatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data support a contribution of 5-HT(2) receptor stimulation to symptom exacerbation in schizophrenic patients and a role for 5-HT(2) receptor antagonism in the prevention of this effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. 06519 , USA.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Abi-Saab
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Seibyl
authors.forename: D Cyril
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: Laurence P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Karper
authors.forename: Ralitza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gueorgueva
authors.forename: Anissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abi-Dargham
authors.forename: Ma-Li
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Sachin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajhans
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Erdos
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Heninger
authors.forename: Dennis S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Charney
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Krystal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016713:Ritanserin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D016713:Ritanserin; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine