Interaction between aminergic systems in mesolimbic structures: the importance of 5-HT2, D2 and D1 receptors in the olfactory tubercle for the atypical profile of neuroleptics.

This study shows that the 5-HT2 antagonists ketanserin and ritanserin which on top of administration of classical neuroleptics reduces negative symptoms in schizophrenia as well as extrapyramidal side effects, are the most potent inhibitors of the dopamine-specific responses of the olfactory tubercle (OT); like atypical neuroleptics (2), they are far less effective when injected in the nucleus accumbens (ACC). We suggest that 5-HT2, D2 and/or D1 antagonism within the olfactory tubercle is necessary, but not sufficient for the atypical profile of neuroleptics.