Buspirone: a potential atypical neuroleptic

Buspirone produces a dose-dependent but short-lived elevation in striatal dopamine (DA) metabolites in the rat. In vitro, buspirone possesses an affinity similar to sulpiride for DA receptors (3H-spiperone). A moderate affinity for alpha 1 receptors was also observed while buspirone was inactive at alpha 2, beta, muscarinic and serotonin2 receptors. This pharmacological profile as well as previous behavioral data indicate that buspirone may be a potential "atypical" neuroleptic.