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The Sound of Evolution
Pimozide
Mechanism of action:
Pimozide is a diphenylbutylpiperidine derivative. It blocks dopamine D₂ receptors in the basal ganglia and limbic system, thereby preventing dopamine from acting in these regions. In Tourette syndrome, dopamine signaling is thought to be excessively active, and pimozide suppresses abnormal motor circuit firing by antagonizing D₂ receptors.
Reference(s):
1. Chen X et al. (2002). TTD: Therapeutic Target Database. Nucleic Acids Res.
2. Seeman P et al. (2002). Atypical antipsychotics: mechanism of action. Can J Psychiatry.
3. Silva MR et al. (2003). Pimozide injections into the Nucleus accumbens disrupt maternal behaviour in lactating rats. Pharmacol Toxicol.
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