Molecular imaging studies of the striatal dopaminergic system in psychosis and predictions for the prodromal phase of psychosis

Br J Psychiatry Suppl. 2007 Dec:51:s13-8. doi: 10.1192/bjp.191.51.s13.

Abstract

The dopamine hypothesis has been the major pathophysiological theory of psychosis in recent decades. Molecular imaging studies have provided in vivo evidence of increased dopamine synaptic availability and increased presynaptic dopamine synthesis in the striata of people with psychotic illnesses. These studies support the predictions of the dopamine hypothesis, but it remains to be determined whether dopaminergic abnormalities pre-date or are secondary to the development of psychosis. We selectively review the molecular imaging studies of the striatal dopaminergic system in psychosis and link this to models of psychosis and the functional subdivisions of the striatum to make predictions for the dopaminergic system in the prodromal phase of psychosis.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Corpus Striatum / diagnostic imaging
  • Corpus Striatum / physiopathology*
  • Dopamine / biosynthesis
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Psychotic Disorders / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Dopamine