Description
Aripiprazole is a second generation atypical antipsychotic that also exhibits neuromodulatory, antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, cognition enhancing, and antioxidative activities. Aripiprazole acts as a partial agonist at D2 receptors and 5-HT1A receptors and as an antagonist at 5-HT2A receptors and is used clinically to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. Aripiprazole also displays moderate affinity for and 5-HT2C/6/7 receptors and the serotonin transporter (SERT). Aripiprazole improves spatial memory in the Morris water maze test, exhibits antidepressant activity in the Porsolt test, and also improves social competence, potentially through increases in GABA transmission in prefrontal brain regions. This compound also potentiates nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth and increases levels of heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α). Aripiprazole protects cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced damage, increasing activity of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1).