Subjective experience and striatal dopamine D(2) receptor occupancy in patients with schizophrenia stabilized by olanzapine or risperidone

Abstract

Objective: The authors' goal was to study the relationship between subjective experience during treatment with olanzapine or risperidone and dopamine D(2) receptor occupancy in stabilized patients with schizophrenia.

Method: Subjective experience, psychopathology, and extrapyramidal symptoms were assessed, and D(2) receptor occupancy was determined with [(123)I]iodobenzamide single photon emission computed tomography, in 22 patients whose schizophrenia was stabilized by olanzapine or risperidone.

Results: Subjective experience, depression, and negative symptoms were related to dopamine D(2) receptor occupancy, but extrapyramidal symptoms were not.

Conclusions: These results provide preliminary evidence that negative subjective experience is related to high D(2) receptor occupancy. Longitudinal study is required because this relationship may have implications for dosing strategies.