Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare 5-HT1A availability in vivo in individuals with schizophrenia before and during treatment with the atypical antipsychotic ziprasidone. Six individuals with schizophrenia underwent two PET scans with [11C]WAY 100635; the first while medication-free (baseline) and the second while taking the atypical antipsychotic ziprasidone (on-medication). Regional volumes of distribution (V T, mL g−1) were derived using a two-tissue compartment kinetic model. Outcome measures included binding potential relative to the plasma (BP P, mL g−1) and the binding potential relative to the nonspecific distribution volume (BP ND, unitless). No significant differences were observed in regional BP P or BP ND with ziprasidone treatment. A significant correlation was noted between BP P measured in the orbitofrontal cortex during the on-medication condition and degree of improvement in negative symptoms with treatment (r = 0.96, p = 0.004). Consistent with the published literature of changes in 5-HT1A binding during treatment with 5-HT1A receptor agonists, this study did not detect a significant reduction in 5-HT1A binding with ziprasidone. The finding of a relationship between 5-HT1A binding and the degree of improvement in negative symptoms provides further support for the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in the pathophysiology and treatment of this symptom domain.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
