Improvement of symptoms in Tourette syndrome by piquindone, a novel dopamine-2 receptor antagonist.

Abstract

We have hypothesized that symptoms of Tourette Syndrome (TS) may represent D2 (dopamine-2) receptor hyperactivity. We treated 4 TS patients with piquindone, a novel D2 receptor antagonist designed via a 3-dimensional model of dopamine receptors. All 4 patients experienced a clinically obvious reduction of tics. Sedation that decreased over time was the only adverse effect. Haloperidol, the current treatment of choice of TS, is limited primarily by its extrapyramidal side-effects. However, piquindone produced therapeutic effects without disabling side-effects. Motor tics responded at lower doses than vocal tics. All patients expressed a strong subjective preference for piquindone over haloperidol. Our results suggest that therapeutic efficacy of a D2 receptor antagonist in TS can be achieved without production of disabling extrapyramidal-side effects. These results also support the proposal that TS may be mediated by hyperactive D2 receptors.

• Authors: S B Uhr, B Pruitt, P A Berger, S M Stahl
• Journal: International clinical psychopharmacology (Int Clin Psychopharmacol) Vol. 1 Issue 3 Pg. 216-20 (Jul 1986) ISSN: 0268-1315 [Print] England
• PMID: 3549873 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Dopamine Antagonists
• Isoquinolines
• Receptors, Dopamine
• Ro 22-1319

Topics

• Adult
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Dopamine Antagonists
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Isoquinolines (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Receptors, Dopamine (drug effects)
• Tourette Syndrome (drug therapy)