Pharmacopsychiatry 2003; 36(6): 292-296
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45116
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Chronic Haloperidol and Clozapine Treatment on AMPA and Kainate Receptor Binding in Rat Brain

A. Schmitt1 , B. May1 , B. Müller1 , A. Jatzko1 , G. Petroianu2 , D. F. Braus1 , F. A. Henn1
  • 1Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
  • 2Department of Pharmacology, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 7.8.2002 Revised: 25.10.2002

Accepted: 14.11.2002

Publication Date:
09 December 2003 (online)

Background: Alterations in AMPA and kainate receptor binding have been revealed in post-mortem schizophrenic brains. As most patients had been treated with antipsychotics, medication effects cannot be excluded as a possible explanation for these results. Methods: Within the framework of this animal study, we investigated [3H]AMPA and [3H]kainate receptor binding in different rat brain regions following 6 months of oral treatment with either haloperidol (1.5 mg/kg/day) or clozapine (45 mg/kg/day). Results: AMPA receptor binding was increased after haloperidol treatment in the striatum, nucleus accumbens, cingulate cortex, and insular cortex. Clozapine showed increased AMPA receptor binding only in the anterior cingulate cortex. Kainate receptor binding was increased by both drugs in all hippocampal subfields. Conclusions: This altered receptor binding may be related to beneficial neuroleptic effects and side effects. Furthermore, neuroleptic therapy may contribute to some of the post-mortem findings in the striatum in schizophrenia.

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Dr. med. Andrea Schmitt

Central Institute of Mental Health

P.O. Box: 12 21 20

D-68072 Mannheim

Germany

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