α 2-Adrenoreceptor antagonism may contribute to the atypical properties of risperidone: experimental support for the Nutt case.
The therapeutic efficacy and reduction in side effects claimed for new antischizophrenic drugs such as clozapine and risperidone have been ascribed to their heightened affinity for serotonin 5-HT(2) receptors rather than D-2 receptors. A case for α(2)-adrenoreceptor antagonism has recently been argued. We have confirmed that at least one atypical property of risperidone (a rapid decrement in its ability to depress self-stimulation) can be partly prevented by an α(2)-adrenoreceptor agonist (clonidine) but not by a 5-HT( 2) receptor agonist (DOI). This result supports the suggested role of α( 2)-adrenoreceptor antagonism in counteracting extrapyramidal effects during treatment with risperidone.
Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG.
L J
LJ
Herberg
A M
AM
Montgomery
A J
AJ
Grottick