Measurement of the serotonin 1A receptor availability in patients with schizophrenia during treatment with the antipsychotic medication ziprasidone

The aim of this study was to compare 5-HT1A availability in vivo in individuals with schizophrenia before and during treatment with the atypical antipsychotic ziprasidone. Six individuals with schizophrenia underwent two PET scans with [11C]WAY 100635; the first while medication-free (baseline) and the second while taking the atypical antipsychotic ziprasidone (on-medication). Regional volumes of distribution (VT, mL g−1) were derived using a two-tissue compartment kinetic model. Outcome measures included binding potential relative to the plasma (BPP, mL g−1) and the binding potential relative to the nonspecific distribution volume (BPND, unitless). No significant differences were observed in regional BPP or BPND with ziprasidone treatment. A significant correlation was noted between BPP measured in the orbitofrontal cortex during the on-medication condition and degree of improvement in negative symptoms with treatment (r = 0.96, p = 0.004). Consistent with the published literature of changes in 5-HT1A bi...