The activation of 5-HT2A receptors in prefrontal cortex enhances dopaminergic activity

Atypical antipsychotics show preferential 5-HT2A versus dopamine (DA) D-2 receptor affinity. At clinical doses, they fully occupy cortical 5-HT2 receptors, which suggests a strong relationship with their therapeutic action. Half of the pyramidal neurones in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) express 5-HT2A receptors. Also, neurones excited through 5-HT2A receptors project to the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We therefore hypothesized that prefrontal 5-HT2A receptors can modulate DA transmission through excitatory mPFC-VTA inputs. In this study we used single unit recordings to examine the responses of DA neurones to local (in the mPFC) and systemic administration of the 5-HT2A/2C agonist 1-[2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane] (DOI). Likewise, using microdialysis, we examined DA release in the mPFC and VTA (single/dual probe) in response to prefrontal and systemic drug administration. The local (in the mPFC) and systemic administration of DOI increased the firing rate and burst firing of DA neurones and DA release in the VTA and mPFC. The increase in VTA DA release was mimicked by the electrical stimulation of the mPFC. The effects of DOI were reversed by M100907 and ritanserin. These results indicate that the activity of VTA DA neurones is under the excitatory control of 5-HT2A receptors in the mPFC. These observations may help in the understanding of the therapeutic action of atypical antipsychotics.