The results indicate that in drug-naive schizophrenic patients the extrastriatal dopamine D2/3 receptor density is markedly decreased. The authors also observed negative correlations between D2/3 receptor density and age among controls, and between D2/3 density and negative and general psychopathological symptom scores among patients. These results support the previous hypothesis on dysfunction of mesocortical dopamine function behind the cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
Citation source: Molecular Psychiatry 2003 Volume 8, number 4, pages 453-455.
For further information on this work, please contact Prof. Jari Tiihonen M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, PO Box 320, FIN-00029 HUCH, Finland; Tel. 358-9-471-81-200; Fax: 358-9-471-81-313; E-mail: jari.tiihonen@hus.fi
ARTICLE: "Extrastriatal dopamine D2/3 receptor density and distribution in drug-naive schizophrenic patients"
AUTHORS: Heli Tuppurainen, Jyrki Kuikka, Heimo Viinamäki, Minna Husso-Saastamoinen, Kim Bergström, and Jari Tiihonen
Department of Psychiatry, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1777, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Clinical Physiology, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 1777, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Kuopio, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Finland
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PLEASE CITE MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY AS THE SOURCE OF THIS MATERIAL.
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