Changes in serotonin(2A) and GABA(A) receptors in schizophrenia: Studies on the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Abstract

Having shown a decrease in serotonin(2A) receptors in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from schizophrenic subjects, we have now determined if this change was reflective of widespread changes in neurochemical markers in DLPFC in schizophrenia. In Brodmann's area (BA) 9 from 19 schizophrenic and 19 control subjects, we confirmed a decrease in the density of [3H]ketanserin binding to serotonin(2A) receptors in tissue from the schizophrenic subjects [39 ± 3.3 vs. 60 ± 3.6 fmol/mg estimated tissue equivalents (ETE); p < 0.005]. In addition, the density of [3H]muscimol binding to GABA(A) receptors was increased in the schizophrenic subjects (526 ± 19 vs. 444 ± 28 fmol/mg ETE; p < 0.02). ..