5. Effects of Sustained D2 Receptors Blockade on Brain Structure and Function in Healthy Volunteers

The effect of D2 Receptor (D2R) blockade, exerted by antipsychotics, on brain structure and function is still under debate. Studies in patients reported mixed results with difficulties in separating disease and treatment effects. Single-dose studies in healthy volunteers (HV) have shown no change or reduction in striatal volumes, increased striatal cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduced cortico-striatal functional connectivity (FC). However, it remains unclear whether these effects are stable after prolonged D2R blockade and how do they relate to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).