Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
05:14
Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
4.2K
Presynaptic dopaminergic function: implications for understanding treatment response in psychosis
1Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College of London, De Crespigny Park 16, London, SE5 8AF, UK, ilaria.bonoldi@kcl.ac.uk.
CNS Drugs
|June 13, 2014
Summary
Schizophrenia involves abnormal presynaptic dopamine function, not just postsynaptic receptor activity. Targeting these presynaptic dopamine abnormalities may lead to more effective treatments and potentially prevent psychosis onset.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current antipsychotics primarily target postsynaptic dopamine receptors.
- The precise nature of dopamine (DA) dysfunction in schizophrenia, particularly presynaptic alterations, remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of presynaptic dopaminergic dysfunction in schizophrenia.
- To explore the implications of these findings for current treatment strategies and the development of novel therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of consistent evidence on presynaptic dopaminergic function in schizophrenia.
- Analysis of longitudinal data from prodromal patients to psychosis onset.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia is characterized by increased presynaptic dopaminergic function, including synthesis capacity, baseline synaptic levels, and release.
- Elevated presynaptic dopaminergic function is observed even in prodromal stages.
- Current antipsychotics do not normalize these presynaptic abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- The persistence of abnormal presynaptic dopamine function may explain relapse after antipsychotic discontinuation.
- Targeting presynaptic dopamine pathways offers potential for new antipsychotic treatments, especially for treatment-resistant cases.
- Intervention targeting presynaptic abnormalities could offer a strategy for preventing psychosis onset.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
2.5K
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
2.5K
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
699
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation.
699
01:28Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
1.2K
The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic...
1.2K
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
1.4K
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
1.4K
01:29Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
2.5K
Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase,...
2.5K
01:21Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
1.3K
Antipsychotic drugs are classified into first-generation (typical) drugs including phenothiazines; and second-generation (atypical) drugs. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (Thorazine), a phenothiazine derivative, broadly impacts the central, autonomic, and endocrine systems. This drug, along with typical agents like haloperidol (Haldol), primarily works by antagonizing D2 receptors, thus reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, typical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as sedation...
1.3K