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The effect of the dopamine agonist, apomorphine, on regional cerebral blood flow in normal volunteers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

P. M. Grasby ,
K. J. Friston ,
C. J. Bench ,
P. J. Cowen ,
C. D. Frith ,
P. F. Liddle ,
R. S. J. Frackowiak  and
R. J. Dolan
P. M. Grasby*
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
K. J. Friston
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
C. J. Bench
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
P. J. Cowen
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
C. D. Frith
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
P. F. Liddle
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
R. S. J. Frackowiak
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
R. J. Dolan
Affiliation:
MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital; Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery; Department of Psychology, University College, London; and MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr P. M. Grasby, MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 OHS.
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Synopsis

Apomorphine, a non-selective dopamine agonist, has been used as a pharmacological probe for investigating central dopaminergic neurotransmission in psychiatric illness. In this study repeated measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were made in normal volunteers before, and after, the administration of apomorphine (5 or 10 μg/kg), or placebo. The difference in rCBF, before and after drug (apomorphine versus placebo), was used to identify brain areas affected by apomorphine. Compared to placebo, both doses of apomorphine increased blood flow in the anterior cingulate cortex. Apomorphine 10 μg/kg also increased prefrontal rCBF (right > left). No decreases in rCBF were noted following either dose of apomorphine. Apomorphine-induced increases of anterior cingulate blood flow might serve as an in vivo index of central dopamine function. Such an approach would complement established neuroendocrine challenge paradigms for investigating central dopamine neurotransmission in psychiatric illness.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , August 1993 , pp. 605 - 613
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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