Subjective Experience and Dopamine D2 Receptor Occupancy in Patients Treated with Antipsychotics: Clinical Implications

Abstract

Objectives: This paper gives an overview of studies on the association between dopaminergic neurotransmission and the subjective experience of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: We undertook a review of the literature. Results: Dopaminergic neurotransmission may be relevant for subjective experience. Higher striatal D2 receptor occupancy by typical and atypical antipsychotics is related to worse subjective experience, more severe negative symptoms, and depression. Individuals with lower baseline dopamine function are at an increased risk for dysphoric responses during antipsychotic therapy with dopaminergic-blocking drugs. There is preliminary evidence that a window of striatal D2 receptor occupancy between 60% and 70% is optimal for the subjective experience of patients. These occupancies are often reached even with low dosages of antipsychotic drugs. Conclusions: Reaching an optimal dopamine D2 receptor occupancy is clinically relevant, since subjective experience associated with antipsychotic medication is related to medication compliance. Antipsychotic drug dosages often need to be lower than levels in common use.