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The prefrontal cortex: a target for antipsychotic drugs
1Department of Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology, Institut d' Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (CSIC), IDIBAPS,08036 Barcelona, Spain. fapnqi@iibb.csic.es
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|January 12, 2010
Summary
Atypical antipsychotics primarily target prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurons for therapeutic effects. Classical antipsychotics also act on PFC neurons, alongside blocking dopamine D2 receptors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antipsychotic drugs are crucial for treating schizophrenia.
- Classical and atypical antipsychotics have distinct receptor binding profiles.
- The precise cellular mechanisms underlying their therapeutic actions remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs.
- To emphasize their effects within the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on antipsychotic drug mechanisms.
- Emphasis on studies investigating prefrontal cortex (PFC) involvement.
Main Results:
- The PFC is vital for higher brain functions affected in schizophrenia.
- PFC neurons express monoaminergic receptors targeted by both antipsychotic classes.
- Functional studies confirm antipsychotic drug activity at the PFC level.
Conclusions:
- Atypical antipsychotics likely achieve therapeutic benefits via PFC neuron modulation.
- This modulation influences PFC output to basal ganglia circuits.
- Classical antipsychotics act on PFC targets and also block striatal dopamine D2 receptors.
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