S18327 (1-[2-[4-(6-fluoro-1, 2-benzisoxazol-3-yl)piperid-1-yl]ethyl]3-phenyl imidazolin-2-one), a novel, potential antipsychotic displaying marked antagonist properties at alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors: II. Functional profile and a multiparametric comparison with haloperidol, clozapine, and 11 other antipsychotic agents. (73/1654)

S18327 was dose-dependently active in several models of potential antipsychotic activity involving dopaminergic hyperactivity: inhibition of apomorphine-induced climbing in mice, of cocaine- and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion in rats, and of conditioned avoidance responses in rats. Furthermore, reflecting its high affinity at serotonin(2A) sites, S18327 potently blocked phencyclidine-induced locomotion and 1-[2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl]-2-aminopropane-induced head-twitches in rats. In models of glutamatergic hypoactivity, S18327 blocked hyperlocomotion and spontaneous tail-flicks elicited by the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist dizocilpine. The actions of S18327, together with its binding profile at multiple monoaminergic receptors (15 parameters in total), were compared with those of clozapine, haloperidol, and 11 other antipsychotics by multiparametric analysis, and the resulting dendrogram positioned S18327 close to clozapine. Consistent with a clopazine-like profile, S18327 generalized to a clozapine discriminative stimulus and evoked latent inhibition in rats, blocked aggression in isolated mice, and displayed anxiolytic properties in the ultrasonic vocalization and Vogel procedures in rats. Relative to the above paradigms, only markedly (>20-fold) higher doses of S18327 were active in models predictive of potential extrapyramidal side effects: induction of catalepsy and prolactin secretion, and inhibition of methylphenidate-induced gnawing in rats. S18327 showed only modest affinity for histaminic and muscarinic receptors. Multiparametric analysis of these data distinguished S18327 from both haloperidol (high extrapyramidal potential) and clozapine (high histaminic and muscarinic affinity). In conclusion, S18327 displays a broad-based pattern of potential antipsychotic activity at doses appreciably lower than those eliciting extrapyramidal side effects. In this respect, S18327 closely resembles clozapine, but it is chemically distinct and displays weak affinity for histaminic and muscarinic receptors.  (+info)

Nonconserved residues in the second transmembrane-spanning domain of the D(4) dopamine receptor are molecular determinants of D(4)-selective pharmacology. (74/1654)

The molecular determinants that govern selective ligand binding to the rat D(4) dopamine receptor were investigated by substituting D(2) dopamine receptor sequences into a D(4) dopamine receptor background. The resulting mutant D(4) dopamine receptors were then screened with a panel of 10 selective and nonselective ligands, which included two allosteric modulators as sensitive measures of protein conformational changes. Mutation of a phenylalanine at position 88 in the second transmembrane-spanning domain (TMS2) of the D(4) receptor to the corresponding valine in the D(2) receptor D(4)-F88V resulted in an approximately 100-fold decrease in the affinity of the highly D(4)-selective drug 3-([4-(4-iodophenyl) piperazin-1-yl]methyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine (L-750,667) without substantially affecting the binding of the other ligands. Mutations at the extracellular side of D(4)-TMS3 produced moderate decreases in L-750,667 binding affinities with concomitant increases in binding affinity for the D(2)/D(3)-selective antagonist (-)-raclopride. However, the binding affinities of these same D(4)-TMS3 mutants for the allosteric modulator isomethylbutylamiloride also were an anomalous 6- to 20-fold higher than either wild-type receptor. In the combined D(4)-F88V/TMS3 mutants, L-750,667 binding affinity was further decreased, but this decrease was not additive. More importantly, the combined D(4)-F88V/TMS3 mutants had (-)-raclopride and isomethylbutylamiloride binding properties that reverted back to those of the wild-type D(4)-receptor. In contrast to the D(4)-F88V mutant, the adjacent D(4)-L87W mutant had an increased affinity for ligands with extended structures, but had essentially no effect on ligands with compact structures. These findings demonstrate that two residues near the extracellular side of D(4)-TMS2 are critical molecular determinants for the selective binding of L-750,667 and ligands with extended structures.  (+info)

Auditory evoked potentials reflect serotonergic neuronal activity--a study in behaving cats administered drugs acting on 5-HT1A autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus. (75/1654)

A valid indicator of central serotonergic neurotransmission would be useful for various diagnostic and psychopharmacological purposes in psychiatry. However, known peripheral serotonergic measures only partially reflect serotonergic function in the brain. Previous findings suggest that the intensity dependence of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) is closely related to central serotonergic activity. The present study examines the effects of microinjection of a 5-HT1A agonist (8-OH-DPAT) and a 5-HT1A antagonist (spiperone) into the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) on AEP recorded epidurally from the primary and secondary auditory cortex in behaving cats. We found a stronger intensity dependence only of AEP from the primary auditory cortex after 8-OH-DPAT, which inhibits the firing rate of serotonergic DRN neurons, and a weaker intensity dependence after spiperone, which increases serotonergic cell firing, as compared to baseline measurements. These results demonstrate that the intensity dependence of AEP is inversely related to serotonergic neuronal activity and that it may be a promising tool for assessing central serotonergic function in humans (e.g., identifying patients with low serotonergic neurotransmission).  (+info)

Behavioral changes and [123I]IBZM equilibrium SPECT measurement of amphetamine-induced dopamine release in rhesus monkeys exposed to subchronic amphetamine. (76/1654)

Previously we have shown that twelve weeks of repeated low-dose d-amphetamine (AMPH) exposure in rhesus monkeys induces a long-lasting enhancement of behavioral responses to acute low-dose challenge. The present study was designed to investigate the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of a six-week regimen of low-dose AMPH exposure (0.1-1.0 mg/kg, i.m., b.i.d.) in rhesus monkeys. SPECT imaging of AMPH's (0.4 mg/kg) ability to displace [123I]IBZM bound to D2 dopamine receptors in the striatum of saline control and AMPH-treated animals prior to and following chronic treatment was accomplished using a bolus/constant infusion paradigm. Following chronic AMPH treatment, all monkeys showed an enhanced behavioral response to acute AMPH challenge and a significant decrease in the percent of AMPH-induced displacement of [123I]IBZM in striatum compared to their pretreatment scans. These findings suggest that relatively small changes in presynaptic dopamine function may be reflected in significant alterations in the behavioral response to acute AMPH challenge.  (+info)

Instrumentally detected changes in motor functioning in patients with low levels of antipsychotic dopamine D2 blockade. (77/1654)

Extrapyramidal side-effects (EPSE) of antipsychotic medication are related to the occupancy of dopamine D2 receptors and there appears to be a threshold of D2 occupancy below which clinically EPSE are unlikely to occur. It is unclear whether there are motor changes produced by 'subthreshold' levels of D2 occupancy that are not detectable by clinical examination. This study was designed to investigate whether a number of electromechanical instrumental techniques could detect 'subthreshold' motor changes and whether these changes correlate with dopamine D2 occupancy as measured by [11C]-raclopride PET scan. Twenty medication naive patients were studied before and during treatment with low dose haloperidol. Instrumental techniques detected an asymmetrical worsening in motor function with drug treatment despite the failure of the group to experience significant EPSE. These changes did not correlate with D2 occupancy and measurements of rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia did not closely inter-correlate.  (+info)

Induction of spontaneous tail-flicks in rats by blockade of transmission at N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors: roles of multiple monoaminergic receptors in relation to the actions of antipsychotic agents. (78/1654)

We examined the involvement of multiple monoaminergic receptors in the induction of spontaneous tail-flicks (STFs) by the open channel blocker at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, dizocilpine, and the NMDA recognition site antagonist 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP). At doses eliciting a maximal STF response, dizocilpine and CPP elevated levels of norepinephrine, but not dopamine or serotonin, in dialysates of nucleus accumbens, their known locus of action in eliciting STFs. Chemically diverse alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonists atipamezole, L745,743, RX821,002, idazoxan, and desfluparoxan abolished induction of STFs by dizocilpine, whereas the preferential alpha(1)-AR antagonists prazosin, WB4101, and ARC239 were weakly active: relative potencies in blocking STFs correlated significantly with affinity at alpha(2)-ARs. The D(1)/D(5) receptor antagonists SCH23390, SCH39166, and NNC756 potently abolished STFs, whereas the D(2) antagonist L741,626, the D(3) antagonists GR218,231 and S14297, and the D(4) antagonists S18126 and L745,870 were inactive. D(1) and alpha(2)-AR antagonists also blocked induction of STFs by CPP. Blockade of dizocilpine-induced STFs was specific inasmuch as idazoxan and SCH 23390 did not modify induction of ataxia by dizocilpine. Antagonists at multiple 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors failed to modify induction of STFs. Finally, dizocilpine-induced STFs were blocked by clozapine and 11 other antipsychotics, the potency of which correlated significantly with affinity at alpha(2)-ARs. In conclusion, STFs evoked by interruption of transmission at NMDA receptors are dependent on D(1) receptors and alpha(2)-ARs for their expression. Antagonism of the alpha(2)-ARs is involved in their blockade by antipsychotics. This model should facilitate exploration of interrelationships between glutamatergic and monoaminergic mechanisms involved in psychiatric and neurologic disorders.  (+info)

Metoclopramide: a novel adjunct for improving cardiac and hepatocellular functions after trauma-hemorrhage. (79/1654)

Although metoclopramide (MCP) administration after trauma-hemorrhage restores the depressed immune functions, it remains unknown whether this agent has any salutary effects on the depressed cardiovascular and hepatocellular functions under those conditions. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a midline laparotomy (i.e., induction of soft-tissue trauma) and were then bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40 mmHg until 40% of the maximal shed blood volume was returned in the form of Ringer lactate (RL). The rats were then resuscitated with four times the shed blood volume in the form of RL over 60 min. MCP (2 mg/kg body wt) or vehicle was administered subcutaneously at the end of resuscitation. At 24 h after resuscitation, cardiac index and hepatocellular function (i.e., the maximum velocity and the overall efficiency of indocyanine green clearance) were determined. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and prolactin were also assayed. The results indicate that treatment with MCP after trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation significantly improved the depressed cardiac output and hepatocellular function. Furthermore, MCP administration significantly increased circulating levels of prolactin and decreased the plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. Thus, administration of MCP, which increased prolactin secretion, appears to be a useful adjunct for restoring the depressed cardiac and hepatocellular functions and downregulating inflammatory cytokine release after trauma and hemorrhagic shock.  (+info)

Upregulation of putaminal dopamine D2 receptors in early Parkinson's disease: a comparative PET study with [11C] raclopride and [11C]N-methylspiperone. (80/1654)

Dopamine D2 receptor function was assessed in a PET study with 2 dopamine D2 receptor PET ligands, [11C]raclopride (RAC) and [11C]N-methylspiperone (NMSP), in early Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Seven patients with early Parkinson's disease and 5 healthy volunteers were studied. Each underwent PET both with reversible [11C]RAC and with irreversible [11C]NMSP. RESULTS: Upregulation of dopamine D2 receptors in the putamen contralateral to the predominant symptoms of Parkinson's disease was confirmed using both [11C]RAC and [11C]NMSP. Uptake of [11C]RAC in the contralateral putamen was 105% of uptake in the opposite putamen (P = 0.020). For [11C]NMSP, uptake in the contralateral putamen was 105% of uptake in the ipsilateral putamen (P = 0.011). No significant differences between Parkinson's disease patients and healthy volunteers were detected in any of the studied brain regions using either [11C]RAC or [11C]NMSP. No significant differences between [11C]RAC and [11C]NMSP uptake were detected in the striatum, whereas in the extrastriatal regions, [11C]NMSP showed significantly higher uptake than [11C]RAC both in healthy volunteers and in Parkinson's disease patients. CONCLUSION: This study confirms an increase in dopamine D2 receptors in the putamen contralateral to the predominant symptoms, compared with the ipsilateral putamen, in early Parkinson's disease. This increase was seen both with reversible ligand [11C]RAC and with irreversible ligand [11C]NMSP and thus does not seem a consequence of depleted endogenous dopamine.  (+info)