The acute effects of central- and peripheral-acting dopamine antagonists on plasma HVA in schizophrenic patients

The short-term effects of fluphenazine on plasma HVA concentrations were compared with the effects of fluphenazine and concurrent administration of debrisoquin, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor which does not cross the blood brain barrier and is used to enhance the CNS contribution to circulating plasma HVA concentrations. Fluphenazine significantly increased plasma HVA with or without debrisoquin 24 hours following the initiation of treatment. Domperidone, a butyrophenone dopamine antagonist which acts only in the peripheral nervous system, failed to alter plasma HVA concentrations. These data suggest that the acute effects of neuroleptic drugs on plasma HVA concentrations are dependent upon interaction with CNS dopaminergic systems and provide additional support for the use of plasma HVA as a reflection of CNS dopamine system activity in clinical studies.