Lj. Herberg et al., ALPHA(2)-ADRENOCEPTOR ANTAGONISM MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE ATYPICAL PROPERTIES OF RISPERIDONE - EXPERIMENTAL SUPPORT FOR THE NUTT CASE, J PSYCHOPH, 9(3), 1995, pp. 281-283
The therapeutic efficacy and reduction in side effects claimed for new
antischizophrenic drugs such as clozapine and risperidone have been a
scribed to their heightened affinity for serotonin 5-HT2 receptors rat
her than D-2 receptors. A case for alpha(2)-adrenoreceptor antagonism
has recently been argued. We have confirmed that at least one atypical
property of risperidone (a rapid decrement in its ability to depress
self-stimulation) can be partly prevented by an crz-adrenoreceptor ago
nist (clonidine) but not by a 5-HT2 receptor agonist (DOI). This resul
t supports the suggested role of alpha(2)-adrenoreceptor antagonism in
counteracting extrapyramidal effects during treatment with risperidon
e.