Long-term effects of aripiprazole exposure on monoaminergic and glutamatergic receptor subtypes: comparison with cariprazine

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study examined the chronic effects of aripiprazole and cariprazine on serotonin (5-HT1Aand 5-HT2A) and glutamate (NMDA and AMPA) receptor subtypes. In addition, the effects of aripiprazole on D2and D3receptors were tested and compared with previously reported cariprazine data.MethodsRats received vehicle, aripiprazole (2, 5, or 15 mg/kg), or cariprazine (0.06, 0.2, or 0.6 mg/kg) for 28 days. Receptor levels were quantified using autoradiographic assays on brain sections from the medial prefrontal cortex (MPC), dorsolateral frontal cortex (DFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate-putamen medial (CPu–M), caudate-putamen lateral (CPu–L), hippocampal CA1 (HIPP–CA1) and CA3 (HIPP–CA3) regions, and the entorhinal cortex (EC).ResultsSimilar to previous findings with cariprazine, aripiprazole upregulated D2receptor levels in various regions; D3receptor changes were less than those reported with cariprazine. All aripiprazole doses and higher cariprazine doses increased 5-HT1Areceptors in the MPC and DFC. Higher aripiprazole and all cariprazine doses increased 5-HT1Areceptors in HIPP–CA1 and HIPP–CA3. Aripiprazole decreased 5-HT2Areceptors in the MPC, DFC, HIPP–CA1, and HIPP–CA3 regions. Both compounds decreased NMDA receptors and increased AMPA receptors in select brain regions.ConclusionsLong-term administration of aripiprazole and cariprazine had similar effects on 5-HT1A, NMDA, and AMPA receptors. However, cariprazine more profoundly increased D3receptors while aripiprazole selectively reduced 5-HT2Areceptors. These results suggest that the unique actions of cariprazine on dopamine D3receptors, combined with its effects on serotonin and glutamate receptor subtypes, may confer the clinical benefits, safety, and tolerability of this novel compound in schizophrenia and bipolar mania.