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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

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01-09-2006 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Midbrain dopamine D_2/3 receptor binding in schizophrenia

Authors: Heli Tuppurainen, MD, Jyrki T. Kuikka, PhD, Mikko P. Laakso, MD, PhD, Heimo Viinamäki, MD, PhD, Minna Husso, PhL, Jari Tiihonen, MD, PhD

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Issue 6/2006

Abstract

Several studies suggest that dysregulation of dopaminergic transmission in the midbrain and thalamus may contribute to the symptomatology of schizophrenia. The objective of this study was to examine the putative alteration of dopamine D_2/3receptor densities in the thalamus and midbrain of drug-naïve schizophrenic patients. We used the high-affinity single-photon emission tomography ligand [¹²³I]epidepride for imaging D_2/3receptor binding sites in six neuroleptic-naïve schizophrenic patients, and seven healthy controls. Schizophrenic symptoms were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Significantly lower D_2/3values were observed in the midbrain of patients with schizophrenia compared to controls (P = 0.02). No statistically significant difference was observed in the thalamus between two groups. Negative correlations were found between thalamic D_2/3receptor binding and general psychopathological schizophrenic symptoms (r from −0.78 to −0.92). These observations implicate altered dopaminergic activity in the midbrain of schizophrenic patients.

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Title: Midbrain dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in schizophrenia
Authors: Heli Tuppurainen, MD
Jyrki T. Kuikka, PhD
Mikko P. Laakso, MD, PhD
Heimo Viinamäki, MD, PhD
Minna Husso, PhL
Jari Tiihonen, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-09-2006
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience / Issue 6/2006
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-0649-3

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Midbrain dopamine D_2/3 receptor binding in schizophrenia

Abstract

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