title: Anti-aversive effects of the atypical antipsychotic, aripiprazole, in animal models of anxiety.
abstract: Aripiprazole is a unique antipsychotic that seems to act as a partial agonist at dopamine D2-receptors, contrasting with other drugs in this class, which are silent antagonists. Aripiprazole may also bind to serotonin receptors. Both neurotransmitters may play major roles in aversion-, anxiety- and panic-related behaviours. Thus, the present work tested the hypothesis that this antipsychotic could also have anti-aversive properties. Male Wistar rats received injections of aripiprazole (0.1-10 mg/kg) and were tested in the open field, in the elevated plus and T mazes (EPM and ETM, respectively) and in a contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Aripiprazole (1 mg/kg) increased the percentage of entries onto the open arms of the EPM and attenuated escape responses in the ETM. In the latter model, the dose of 0.1 mg/kg also decreased the latency to leave the enclosed arm, suggesting anxiolytic- and panicolytic-like properties. This dose also decreased the time spent in freezing in a contextual fear conditioning. No significant motor effects were observed at these doses. The present data support the hypothesis that aripiprazole could inhibit anxiety-related responses. Acting as a partial agonist at dopamine receptors, this drug could effectively treat schizophrenia and, in contrast with most antipsychotic drugs, alleviate aversive states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Biojone
authors.forename: Plínio C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Casarotto
authors.forename: Leonardo B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Resstel
authors.forename: Hélio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zangrossi
authors.forename: Francisco S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Fabrício A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole