Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have found that antipsychotic medications’ effectiveness in treating schizophrenia is better predicted by their interaction with D1 dopamine receptor-expressing neurons rather than D2 receptors, challenging existing beliefs. Current antipsychotic drugs, which are widely used but often ineffective for many patients and associated with serious side effects like tardive dyskinesia and parkinsonism, were thought to primarily target D2 receptors. However, this new research indicates that their efficacy is more closely related to their effect on D1 receptors in the brain’s striatum, fundamentally changing the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying psychosis.

By shifting the focus to D1 receptor interactions, researchers hope to create medications that better address the full spectrum of schizophrenia symptoms, including cognitive and social difficulties, which current treatments often fail to improve. This finding not only enhances the understanding of schizophrenia but also underscores the potential for novel treatments that could significantly improve the quality of life for millions of people impacted by this disorder.

Reference: Custodio A. Antipsychotic medications work differently than scientists assumed, according to old beliefs. List23. Published August 5, 2023. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://list23.com/3488527-antipsychotic-medications-work-differently-than-scientists-assumed-according-to-old-beliefs/