Acute D2 receptor blockade induces rapid, reversible remodeling in human cortical-striatal circuits

Nat Neurosci. 2010 Aug;13(8):920-2. doi: 10.1038/nn.2572. Epub 2010 Jun 6.

Abstract

Structural remodeling has been observed in the human brain over periods of weeks to months, but the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain incompletely characterized. Using multimodal pharmaco-neuroimaging, we found that acute D2 receptor blockade induced reversible striatal volume changes and structural-functional decoupling in motor circuits within hours; these alterations predicted acute extrapyramidal motor symptoms with high precision. Our findings suggest a role for D2 receptors in short-term neural plasticity and identify a potential biomarker for neuroleptic side effects in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects*
  • Corpus Striatum / drug effects*
  • Dopamine Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists*
  • Haloperidol / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neural Pathways / drug effects
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Haloperidol