Dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in the striatum of antipsychotic-free older patients with schizophrenia—A [11C]-raclopride PET study

Abstract

BackgroundNo study has examined dopamine D2/3 receptor (D2/3R) availability in antipsychotic-free older patients with schizophrenia. MethodsWe included patients with schizophrenia 50years or older who were antipsychotic-free for at least 3months. We compared non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) of [11C]-raclopride in the caudate, putamen, ventral striatum, and globus pallidus between patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. ResultsTen patients participated (antipsychotic-naive=4). No differences in BPND were found between patients and controls in any ROIs (F(1, 72)=.42, p=.52). ConclusionThe preliminary results suggest no differences in D2/3R availability between antipsychotic-free older patients with schizophrenia and controls.