Which agent is described as a partial agonist at D2, D3 with high affinity for 5-HT1A and is a newer member of this class?

Which agent is described as a partial agonist at D2, D3 with high affinity for 5-HT1A and is a newer member of this class?

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

Answer: (D)

Brexpiprazole fits this description because it belongs to the class of dopamine D2/D3 partial agonists with significant activity at serotonin receptors. It acts as a partial agonist at D2 and D3, which provides antipsychotic effects with a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms compared with full D2 antagonists. It also has high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors, meaning it can produce serotonin-1A–mediated effects that can help with mood and anxiety symptoms and may contribute to a broader therapeutic profile. Additionally, brexpiprazole is a newer member of this class, introduced after the older agents like aripiprazole, and it includes potent 5-HT2A antagonism that can help with negative symptoms and cognitive aspects. In contrast, other choices either are not partial agonists at D2/D3, or they don’t emphasize the high 5-HT1A affinity as clearly, or are not the newer member of this class.

Brexpiprazole fits this description because it belongs to the class of dopamine D2/D3 partial agonists with significant activity at serotonin receptors. It acts as a partial agonist at D2 and D3, which provides antipsychotic effects with a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms compared with full D2 antagonists. It also has high affinity for 5-HT1A receptors, meaning it can produce serotonin-1A–mediated effects that can help with mood and anxiety symptoms and may contribute to a broader therapeutic profile. Additionally, brexpiprazole is a newer member of this class, introduced after the older agents like aripiprazole, and it includes potent 5-HT2A antagonism that can help with negative symptoms and cognitive aspects. In contrast, other choices either are not partial agonists at D2/D3, or they don’t emphasize the high 5-HT1A affinity as clearly, or are not the newer member of this class.