| Abstract: | Notes that research in the field of psychopharmacology continues to focus on the development of antipsychotic agents that represent significant improvements over currently available agents in terms of side-effect profiles and efficacy. Several different lines of research have emerged, some of which capitalize on advances already attained with atypical or second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), while others work towards identifying novel pharmacological targets around which to develop new agents. Although activity at serotonin receptors was a focus in the development of SGAs, dopamine remains the primary neurotransmitter of interest. One strategy has been to develop compounds that interact with dopamine receptors in ways that are different from those demonstrated by currently available agents. This approach has met with some experimental and clinical success, and has produced at least one agent--aripiprazole--which was recently approved for use in the US. Biochemical analysis has indicated that, as a potent partial D? agonist, aripiprazole works as an agonist at the presynaptic D? autoreceptors and as an antagonist at the postsynaptic D? receptors. It also exerts antagonist effects--like those of the atypical agents--at the 5-HT2A receptor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
