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

Objective: The authors' goal was to study the relationship between subjecti ve 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 D2 receptor occupancy was determined with [(123)]iodobe nzamide single photon emission computed tomography, in 22 patients whose sc hizophrenia was stabilized by olanzapine or risperidone. Results: Subjective experience, depression, and negative symptoms were rela ted to dopamine D-2 receptor occupancy, but extrapyramidal symptoms were no t. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary evidence that negative subje ctive experience is related to high D-2 receptor occupancy. Longitudinal st udy is required because this relationship may have implications for dosing strategies.