ANTIPSYCHOTICS AND NEUROPEPTIDES - THE ATYPICAL PROFILE OF CI-943 ANDITS RELATIONSHIP TO NEUROTENSIN

CI-943 is a new drug candidate with antipsychotic-like activity in a v ariety of behavioural tests in rodents and primates, but without any a ffinity for brain dopamine receptors. CI-943 does not cause dystonia i n monkeys, a predictive symptom of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). Its mechanism of action remains unclear. Neurotensin (NT) concentratio n in nucleus accumbens and caudate is increased by CI-943; this may be associated with its antipsychotic effect. Indeed various observations suggest that the clinical action of antipsychotic drugs may at least be partially mediated by some neuropeptides. Various actions of neurot ensin are reviewed. The hypothesis on the role of neurotensin represen ts a new strategy in the development of pharmacological tools for the treatment of schizophrenia.