Description
Sonepiprazole is a selective antagonist of the dopamine 4 (D
4) receptor (K
is = 10 nM). It is highly selective over D
1, D
2, and D
3 receptors, serotonin 1A and 2 receptors, as well as α
1- and α
2-adrenergic receptors (K
is > 2,000 nM). Its safety profile in rat studies is improved in comparison to classical antipsychotics but it is not effective for positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia in patients. In a pharmacological model of stress exposure in rhesus monkeys, sonepiprazole reverses stress-induced cognitive deficits.