Buspirone induced prolactin responses in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): is OCD a 5-HT2 receptor disorder?

Buspirone (BUSP) is a serotonergic (5-HT) agonist with activity at the 5-HT1A receptor. The BUSP induced prolactin (PRL) response was examined in 10 patients with a DSM IIIR diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The results were compared with PRL responses to BUSP found in 10 age and sex matched healthy controls. The results suggest that the 5-HT1A receptor dysfunction may not be involved in the pathophysiology of OCD. The authors review the literature and consider the hypothesis that in OCD a complex interaction of other 5-HT receptor sub-types may be occurring, possibly with dysfunction primarily of the 5-HT2 receptors.