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Midbrain dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in schizophrenia

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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 D2/3 receptor 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 D2/3 receptor 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 D2/3 values 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 D2/3 receptor 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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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Research Council for Health of the Finnish Academy, an EVO grant from the Kuopio University Hospital, Annual EVO Financing from Niuvanniemi Hospital, and the Maire Taponen Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Kuopio, Niuvanniemi Hospital, 70240, Kuopio, Finland

    Heli Tuppurainen MD & Jari Tiihonen MD, PhD

  2. Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 1777, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Jyrki T. Kuikka PhD & Minna Husso PhL

  3. Department of Neurology and the Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 1777, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Mikko P. Laakso MD, PhD

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 1777, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Heimo Viinamäki MD, PhD

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  1. Heli Tuppurainen MD
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  2. Jyrki T. Kuikka PhD
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Correspondence to Heli Tuppurainen MD.

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Tuppurainen, H., Kuikka, J.T., Laakso, M.P. et al. Midbrain dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in schizophrenia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 256, 382–387 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-0649-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-006-0649-3

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