Partial agonist at D2 and D3 with high affinity for 5-HT1A, including notable D3 activity: which drug fits this description?

Partial agonist at D2 and D3 with high affinity for 5-HT1A, including notable D3 activity: which drug fits this description?

• A. Brexpiprazole
• B. Aripiprazole
• C. Cariprazine
• D. Ziprasidone

Answer: (C)

This profile points to a dopamine receptor partial agonist with strong activity at both D2 and D3, plus high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors. Cariprazine fits this pattern best because it is a D2/D3 partial agonist with a notable preference for D3 receptors and also acts as a 5-HT1A partial agonist. That combination—D2 and especially D3 partial agonism along with 5-HT1A partial agonism—aligns with the description and helps explain efficacy on negative symptoms and some cognitive aspects of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole and brexpiprazole have D2 partial agonism and 5-HT1A partial agonism as well but less pronounced D3 activity, while ziprasidone is mainly a D2 and 5-HT2A antagonist without the same D3/5-HT1A partial-agonist profile. Hence, cariprazine best matches the description.

This profile points to a dopamine receptor partial agonist with strong activity at both D2 and D3, plus high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors. Cariprazine fits this pattern best because it is a D2/D3 partial agonist with a notable preference for D3 receptors and also acts as a 5-HT1A partial agonist. That combination—D2 and especially D3 partial agonism along with 5-HT1A partial agonism—aligns with the description and helps explain efficacy on negative symptoms and some cognitive aspects of schizophrenia. Aripiprazole and brexpiprazole have D2 partial agonism and 5-HT1A partial agonism as well but less pronounced D3 activity, while ziprasidone is mainly a D2 and 5-HT2A antagonist without the same D3/5-HT1A partial-agonist profile. Hence, cariprazine best matches the description.