Abstract
Schizophrenia has been historically characterized by the presence of positive symptomatology, however, decades of research highlight the importance of cognitive deficits in this disorder. At present, cognitive impairments remain one of the most important unmet therapeutic needs in schizophrenia. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) controls a large number of higher brain functions altered in a variety of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Histological studies indicate the presence of a large proportion of PFC neurons expressing monoaminergic receptors sensitive to the action of current atypical antipsychotics. Functional studies also show that these medications act at PFC level to increase dopamine neurotransmission in the mesocortical pathway. Here we focus on monoaminergic molecular targets that are actively being explored as potential therapeutic agents in the basic and clinical cognitive neuroscience research, to support the development of co-treatments used in conjunction with antipsychotic medications. These targets include dopamine and serotonin receptors in the prefrontal cortex, as well as elements of the noradrenergic system.
Keywords: Antipsychotic drugs, cognitive deficits, monoamines, prefrontal cortex, schizophrenia.
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Dopamine Neurotransmission and Atypical Antipsychotics in Prefrontal Cortex: A Critical Review
Volume: 12 Issue: 21
Author(s): Mercè Masana, Noemí Santana, Francesc Artigas and Analía Bortolozzi
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antipsychotic drugs, cognitive deficits, monoamines, prefrontal cortex, schizophrenia.
Abstract: Schizophrenia has been historically characterized by the presence of positive symptomatology, however, decades of research highlight the importance of cognitive deficits in this disorder. At present, cognitive impairments remain one of the most important unmet therapeutic needs in schizophrenia. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) controls a large number of higher brain functions altered in a variety of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Histological studies indicate the presence of a large proportion of PFC neurons expressing monoaminergic receptors sensitive to the action of current atypical antipsychotics. Functional studies also show that these medications act at PFC level to increase dopamine neurotransmission in the mesocortical pathway. Here we focus on monoaminergic molecular targets that are actively being explored as potential therapeutic agents in the basic and clinical cognitive neuroscience research, to support the development of co-treatments used in conjunction with antipsychotic medications. These targets include dopamine and serotonin receptors in the prefrontal cortex, as well as elements of the noradrenergic system.
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Masana Mercè, Santana Noemí, Artigas Francesc and Bortolozzi Analía, Dopamine Neurotransmission and Atypical Antipsychotics in Prefrontal Cortex: A Critical Review, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2012; 12 (21) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026611212210008
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026611212210008 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
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