Partial agonist for 5HT1A, D2, D3; high affinity for D2 and D3. Which drug?

Partial agonist for 5HT1A, D2, D3; high affinity for D2 and D3. Which drug?

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

Answer: (A)

Partial agonism at dopamine receptors combined with 5-HT1A activity is a strategy to treat psychosis by gently modulating dopamine rather than blocking it completely, which helps control positive symptoms while reducing movement side effects. Brexpiprazole fits this profile well: it acts as a partial agonist at D2 and D3 receptors and has high affinity for both, providing balanced dopaminergic modulation. It also is a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors, and it antagonizes 5-HT2A receptors, contributing to antipsychotic efficacy with a favorable motor and metabolic side-effect profile. In this set, ziprasidone is not a partial D2 agonist, cariprazine emphasizes D3 activity, and aripiprazole, while a D2 partial agonist, does not align with the specific affinity balance described as neatly as brexpiprazole.

Partial agonism at dopamine receptors combined with 5-HT1A activity is a strategy to treat psychosis by gently modulating dopamine rather than blocking it completely, which helps control positive symptoms while reducing movement side effects. Brexpiprazole fits this profile well: it acts as a partial agonist at D2 and D3 receptors and has high affinity for both, providing balanced dopaminergic modulation. It also is a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors, and it antagonizes 5-HT2A receptors, contributing to antipsychotic efficacy with a favorable motor and metabolic side-effect profile. In this set, ziprasidone is not a partial D2 agonist, cariprazine emphasizes D3 activity, and aripiprazole, while a D2 partial agonist, does not align with the specific affinity balance described as neatly as brexpiprazole.