Cited by 229Schizophrenia research and treatmentNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorReceptor Mechanisms and Signaling

All Roads to Schizophrenia Lead to Dopamine Supersensitivity and Elevated Dopamine D2High Receptors

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Seeman, Philip·2011·CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The dopamine D2 receptor is the common target for antipsychotics, and the antipsychotic clinical doses correlate with their affinities for this receptor. Antipsychotics quickly enter the brain to occupy 60-80% of brain D2 receptors in patients (the agonist aripiprazole occupies up to 90%), with most clinical improvement occurring within a few days. The D2 receptor can exist in a state of high-affinity (D2(High) ) or in a state of low-affinity for dopamine (D2Low). AIM: The present aim is to review why individuals with schizophrenia are generally supersensitive to dopamine-like drugs such as amphetamine or methyphenidate, and whether the D2(High) state is a common basis for dopamine supersensitivity in the animal models of schizophrenia. RESULTS: All animal models of schizophrenia reveal elevations in D2(High) receptors. These models include brain lesions, sensitization by drugs (amphetamine, phencyclidine, cocaine, corticosterone), birth injury, social isolation, and gene deletions in pathways for NMDA, dopamine, GABA, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: These multiple abnormal pathways converge to a final common pathway of dopamine supersensitivity and elevated D2(High) receptors, presumably responsible for psychotic symptoms. Although antipsychotics alleviate psychosis and reverse the elevation of D2(High) receptors, long-term antipsychotics can further enhance dopamine supersensitivity in patients. Therefore, switching from a traditional antipsychotic to an agonist antipsychotic (aripiprazole) can result in psychotic signs and symptoms. Clozapine and quetiapine do not elicit parkinsonism or tardive dyskinesia because they are released from D2 within 12 to 24 h. Traditional antipsychotics remain attached to D2 receptors for days, preventing relapse, but allowing accumulation that can lead to tardive dyskinesia. Future goals include imaging D2(High) receptors and desensitizing them in early-stage psychosis.

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Seeman P. Anti-Parkinson therapeutic potencies correlate with their affinities for dopamine D2 High receptors. Synapse 2007;61:1013-1018.
  2. Van Rossum JM. The significance of dopamine-receptor blockade for the action of neuroleptic drugs. In: Brill H, Cole JO, Deniker P, Hippius H, Bradley PB, editors. Neuro-Psycho-Pharmacology, Proceedings of the Fifth International Congress of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psycho-pharmacologicum Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica Foundation, 1967;321-329.
  3. Seeman P, Wong M, Lee T. Dopamine receptor-block and nigral fiber-impulse blockade by major tranquilizers. Fed Proc 1974;33:246 Abstr 243.
  4. Lecrubier Y. A partial D3 receptor agonist in schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2003;13: S167-S168.
  5. Seeman P, Guan H-C. Glutamate agonist LY404039 for treating schizophrenia has affinity for the dopamine D2 High receptor. Synapse 2009;63:935-939.
  6. H]raclopride are indistinguishably inhibited by D2 agonists and antagonists ex vivo. Nucl Med Biol 2008;35:11-17.

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Authors
Seeman, P.
Affiliations
University of Toronto (CA)
Corresponding author
Seeman, Philip
Venue
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-03-15
Volume
17
Issue
2
Pages
118-132
ISSN
1755-5930 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2113742168
Cited by
228
References
104
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 21
FWCI
13.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
Keywords
schizophrenia, dopamine D2 receptor, dopamine supersensitivity, animal models of schizophrenia, antipsychotic drugs, aripiprazole, tardive dyskinesia, parkinsonism, amphetamine sensitivity, phencyclidine, birth trauma, social isolation, gene deletion, NMDA receptor, GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, receptor desensitization, psychosis
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Disease Models, Animal, Dopamine, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Schizophrenia, Antipsychotic Agents, Receptors, Dopamine D2

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