PET scans reveal how antipsychotics target key brain receptors in schizophrenia
NCT ID NCT07715253
First seen Jul 20, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study uses PET scans to see how two antipsychotic medications, brexpiprazole and cariprazine, bind to dopamine-3 receptors in the brains of people with schizophrenia. Forty participants take one of the drugs for 15 days and get brain scans before, after one day, and after 15 days. The goal is to understand how these drugs affect receptor activity and relate to symptom changes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- brexpiprazole and cariprazine (antipsychotic medications) and [11C] PHNO (a radioactive tracer for PET imaging)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could reveal how antipsychotics affect dopamine-3 receptors, potentially leading to better treatments for schizophrenia symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase imaging study, not a treatment trial. Results may not translate into new therapies, and the radiotracer is experimental.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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