Changes in dopa decarboxylase mRNA but not tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in rat brain following antipsychotic treatment

The effects of antipsychotic administration (1–32 days, twice per day) on the levels of mRNA coding for dopa decarboxylase (DDC) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in rat brain has been assessed by a procedure utilising solution hybridisation with oligonucleotides. Saline and sulpiride (20 mg/kg/day) had no apparent effect on DDC mRNA levels. Haloperidol (3 mg/kg/day) elicited increases in DDC mRNA levels of 240% after 32 days and loxapine (4 mg/kg/day) elicited increases of 180% in DDC mRNA levels. None of the drugs affected TH mRNA levels. These results indicate that DDC may be more important than TH in the long term regulation of dopamine production.