The antipsychotic potential of subtype-selective 5-HT receptor ligands based on interactions with mesolimbic dopamine systems.

Many neurochemical, electrophysiological and behavioural studies have shown how 5-HT and dopamine neuronal systems are able to interact and it is highly likely that the therapeutic benefits of clozapine-like atypical antipsychotic drugs are achieved by the modulation of such interactions. There are, however, at least fourteen subtypes of 5-HT receptor and five subtypes of dopamine receptor expressed in rodent and/or human brain and the optimum combination of receptor affinities required for maximum therapeutic benefit remains enigmatic.