Decreased frontal cortical serotonin2A receptors in schizophrenia

Abstract

5HT2A receptors were measured in the frontal cortex from schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic subjects. There was a decrease in the density of 5HT2A receptors in Brodmann's areas 8, 9 and 10 from the schizophrenic subjects. In addition, there was an age-dependent decrease in the density of 5HT2A receptors in Brodmann's areas 9 from the non-schizophrenic subjects, which was absent in the schizophrenic subjects. Available evidence does not suggest that the change in 5HT2A receptors in the schizophrenic subjects was a result of drug treatment before death. These data may indicate that decreased 5HT2A receptors in the frontal cortex are involved in the pathology of schizophrenia.