The authors examined the potencies of 22 neuroleptic drugs competing for
binding sites associated with dopamine, serotonin, alpha- adrenergic, and
histamine receptors in brain membranes. They found that although many
neuroleptics are quite potent in competing at several of these receptor
sites, the average antipsychotic clinical potency correlates closely only
with the drug affinity for dopamine receptors labeled by 3H-spiroperidol At
clinically effective doses, however, substantial occupancy of serotonin,
alpha-adrenergic, and histamine receptors often occurs and may account for
some of the auxiliary actions of neuroleptics.Abstract Teaser